The first edition of this reference work, called the Catholic Encyclopedia, was published around the turn of the 20th century, with the last revised edition appearing in 1967. This new edition includes the best of the previous entries - many completely revised and updated - as well as new entries, written by subject experts, covering the latest topics of interest. Many thousands of articles are biographical profiles of the people who make up the history of the Catholic Church.

"The International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who" is published in September each year. This unique single-volume reference work is an authoritative and esteemed source of information on - All the countries of the world, including territories and federal states; - All significant international and national organisations, from the United Nations to economic and trade organisations; - Comprehensive biographical profiles of over 6,000 of the most important people in the world today. The work is thoroughly revised annually by a dedicated editorial staff. In addition to valuable overviews of each country of the world and information on the top international organisations, more contact details, e-mail addresses and URLs are included with each new edition. Profiles of key people from around the world make this an essential product for hard-to-find biographies. The work is cross-referenced for ease of use. To supplement its concise country profiles "The International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who" contains detailed statistics tables published courtesy of the World Bank, enabling comparison of data from 210 countries quickly. In addition there are tables detailing country membership of international organisations, a Chronology of the Year and Calendar of Forthcoming Elections.

Encyclopedia of World Biography Supplement, Volume 33, continues the augmentation of the second edition and its supplements, Volumes 18 through 32. Originally published in 1973 by McGraw Hill, Encyclopedia of World Biography (EWB) was entirely revised and updated in 1998 with the appearance of the 17-volume second edition seta the first complete revision in 25 years. Mother Theresa. Princess Diana. Tom Clancy. Johnnie Cochran. Betty Shabazz. These are just a few of the people covered in the almost 7, 000 entries on notables from every part of the world and from every time period, representing a 40 percent increase from the first edition. Like other volumes in the EWB series, Supplement 33 represents a unique, comprehensive source for biographical information on those people who, for their contributions to human culture and society, have reputations that stand the test of time.

This is a complete survey of more than 200 U.S. heroes - from the American Revolution through today.In the twenty-first century, an age of information and dwindling privacy, the term ""hero"" is more subjective than ever. Not all heroes are the spotless paragons envisioned in fiction or set forth in old history books. Today, many of our traditional heroes are silhouetted against their very human flaws - making their accomplishments all the more remarkable.All can agree, however, that a ""hero"" is a person who has placed others above self, who has invoked courage to undertake difficult and risky endeavors in order to better the world for others, who has breached the minimum of what is expected to reach for what can be. Such heroes come from all walks of life and can surprise not only others but also themselves in what they are able to accomplish, providing inspiration to others along the way.Scope and coverage - ""American Heroes"" surveys more than 200 U.S. heroes from the American Revolution through today, in 39 areas of achievement, including Agriculture and Astronomy, Aviation and Space Exploration, Business, Civil Rights, Education, Exploration, Government and Politics, the Military, Religion, Social Reform, Sports, Theater and Entertainment, and Women's Rights. The over 200 people covered in set include 41 African Americans, 148 Euro-Americans, 6 Jewish Americans, 3 Latino Americans, 15 Native Americans, 2 Pacific Islander Americans and 63 women.Organization and format - Each comprehensive, in-depth essay is approximately 5 to 6 pages in length. Essays are arranged in a standard format which includes vital ready-reference data; identification (such as ""Astronaut,"" ""Baseball player,"" ""Civil Rights activist,"" or ""President of the United States""); a summary abstract of the person's key role and importance; dates and places of birth and (where applicable) death; a list of ""also known as"" names and nicknames; a list of areas of achievement; several paragraphs covering ""Early Life,"" on upbringing and education; substantial text on ""Life's Work,"" addressing career and achievements; and a ""Significance"" section that summarizes the individual's major contributions. Every essay ends with a ""Further Reading"" section that lists three to ten annotated books and other print sources for further study; these bibliographies are up to date through 2007. All essays are signed by academicians and other expert contributors.Special features - A comprehensive Subject Index is joined by a Category Index (arranging the heroes by area of achievement) and an Ethnicity Index (arranging them by ethnic group) to assist students and general readers in accessing the material for reports and areas of interest.

While popular music in all its varied forms is a source of common interest and an insatiable curiosity among readers of all ages, thorough biographical information about its stars and superstars can be difficult to find.

Consult this ongoing reference series for biographical information on more than 3,600 important figures in today's musical arena. Covering all genres of modern music, Contemporary Musicians profiles artists involved in rock, jazz, pop, rap, rhythm and blues, folk New Age, country, gospel and reggae.

An easy-to-use source for librarians, students and other researchers, each volume in this series provides illustrated biographical profiles of approximately 75 children's authors and artists. This critically acclaimed series covers more than 12,000 individuals, ranging from established award winners to authors and illustrators who are just beginning their careers. Entries typically cover: personal life, career, writings, works in progress, adaptations, additional sources. A cumulative author index is included in each odd-numbered volume.

Three times a year, this extraordinary reference series provides biographical profiles of important persons of African heritage. Whether they are personalities from the news, selected 20th-century notables, or individuals who are not yet household names, these are the men and women who are changing today's world and shaping the world of tomorrow.

Each volume of Contemporary Black Biography contains at least 65 full-length biographies written in an easy-to-follow prose style, ranging from 2 to 4 pages each. Arranged alphabetically, entries are divided by subheads for quick scanning. Sections cover: Portrait (as available)Date and place of birthEducational backgroundAddressCareer dataMembershipsAwards receivedDetailed prose essayComplete source citations

Contemporary Black Biography is not limited to coverage of only notable black Americans, nor is it restricted by a manufactured definition of "contemporary." Its multinational coverage spans this century and includes rising personalities as well as groundbreakers and newsmakers in a variety of fields.Contemporary Black Biography includes four cumulative indexes: Nationality: While concentrating on U.S. figures, this title also covers important personalities from other countries. Find them listed by nationality here.Occupation: Editors focus on biographies not typically found in other sources -- an eclectic blend of well-known and well-respected educators, physicians, politicians, activists, writers, clergy, military leaders, attorneys, as well as members of the more glamorous occupations such as athletes, fashion models and actorsSubjects: Events, places and organizations are cross-referenced to each entry. Use this index to identify key black individuals associated with such topics as the NAACP, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Motown Records, Medicine, the Olympics and hundreds of othersName: As the only series devoted exclusively to black biography, Contemporary Black Biography's name index is the first place to look when you need information on contemporary black figures

Entries in the Contemporary Black Biography series can be accessed online through Gale Biographies on NEXIS. Each of the more than 100,000 profiles in Gale Biographies provides an intimate glimpse into the personal and professional life and times of the listee, including: birth/death date and place, family, education, career highlights and achievements, awards and honors, major works, sources of additional information and much more.

This award-winning multi-volume series is dedicated to making literature and its creators better understood and more accessible to students and interested readers, while satisfying the standards of librarians, teachers and scholars. Dictionary of Literary Biography provides reliable information in an easily comprehensible format, while placing writers in the larger perspective of literary history.

Dictionary of Literary Biography systematically presents career biographies and criticism of writers from all eras and all genres through volumes dedicated to specific types of literature and time periods.

For a listing of Dictionary of Literary Biography volumes sorted by genre click here.

An easy-to-use source for librarians, students and other researchers, each volume in this series provides illustrated biographical profiles of approximately 75 childrens authors and artists. This critically acclaimed series covers more than 12, 000 individuals, ranging from established award winners to authors and illustrators who are just beginning their careers. Entries typically cover: personal life, career, writings, works in progress, adaptations, additional sources. A cumulative author index is included in each odd-numbered volume.

In response to the escalating need for up-to-date information on writers, Contemporary Authors® New Revision Series brings researchers the most recent data on the world's most-popular authors. These exciting and unique author profiles are essential to your holdings because sketches are entirely revised and up-to-date, and completely replace the original Contemporary Authors® entries.

For your convenience, a soft-cover cumulative index is sent biannually.

In response to the escalating need for up-to-date information on writers, Contemporary Authors® New Revision Series brings researchers the most recent data on the world's most-popular authors. These exciting and unique author profiles are essential to your holdings because sketches are entirely revised and up-to-date, and completely replace the original Contemporary Authors® entries.

For your convenience, a soft-cover cumulative index is sent biannually.

Consult this reference for biographical information on more than 4, 500 figures in todays musical arena. Covering all genres of modern music, Contemporary Musicians profiles artists involved in rock, jazz, pop, rap, rhythm and blues, folk, New Age, country, gospel and reggae. Looking for information on Front man Trent Reznor? Need a list of Van Cliburns early recordings or background details on Johnny Mercers musical career? Music lovers, students, teachers, journalists and other researchers will appreciate and enjoy the lively and descriptive essays of this excellent series. Contemporary Musicians offers biographical statistics, detailed source information, critical essays, selected discographies and, whenever available addresses for the leaders, the legends and the up-and-coming celebrities of popular and classical music. Also provided is a list of selected books, magazines, newspapers and other sources where more information can be found. Nearly every entry contains a photograph of the featured subject. This source is up-to-date with coverage of the performers and writers who interest readers, drawn from the various musical genres as represented by the breakdown of record sales. The series also covers past artists whose accomplishments still have an impact on todays music. This reference is appealing to students because of its contemporary focus, easy format and style. Each volume is alphabeticall