Answered By: Penn Libraries
Last Updated: Sep 10, 2025     Views: 118

Use the Advanced Search page in the catalog to search for the person’s name in the Subject field and biograph* (the asterisk finds variant word endings) in the Keyword field. See these sample results for Virginia Woolf.

Advanced search with biograph* in the keyword field and "Woolf, Virginia" OR "Virginia Woolf" in the subject field

Additionally, the Biography and Genealogy Master Index is an important source that indexes biographical entries that are found in other biographical reference works. The target works may be in print or online. Once in the Gale Directory Library, scroll down to select the Biography and Genealogy Master Index.

For biographies of deceased Britons and Americans, search the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography or the database of American National Biography, respectively.

The World Biographical Information System provides citations to biographical sources around the world, including living subjects.

Contact Us