Dictionary of American Biography

The Dictionary of American Biography (DAB) is a 20-volume biographical reference work published between 1928-1936 under the auspices of the American Council of Learned Societies. Editor-in-chief Dumas Malone oversaw a team of scholars and historians who produced detailed biographical entries for over 15,000 notable Americans who died before 1935. Each biography follows a standardized format, providing birth and death details, major life events, career highlights, and contributions to American society. The entries range from brief sketches of lesser-known figures to comprehensive multi-page accounts of presidents, inventors, artists and other major historical personalities. Ten supplement volumes were published between 1944 and 1995 to add entries for notable Americans who died in subsequent decades. The complete set remains a foundational reference resource for American biographical and historical research. This landmark biographical collection represents a pivotal effort to document and preserve American achievement across all fields of endeavor. Its emphasis on factual accuracy and careful sourcing established new standards for biographical scholarship.

The Dictionary of American Biography receives limited reader reviews online due to its nature as a reference work spanning multiple volumes. Readers value: - Detailed biographical research and documentation - Coverage of both major historical figures and lesser-known Americans - Clear writing style that remains accessible despite academic depth - Extensive bibliographies for further research Common criticisms: - Some volumes show age, with dated perspectives on certain subjects - High cost for complete set - Physical size makes storage challenging - Inconsistent depth of coverage between entries Available Ratings: WorldCat: Limited user reviews, primarily from academic libraries Goodreads: No ratings available Amazon: No ratings for complete series; individual used volumes rated 4-5 stars but with very few reviews Notable Reader Comment: "An invaluable but imperfect resource. The scholarship holds up but cultural attitudes in older entries need modern context." - Library Journal reader review [Note: Limited verifiable reader reviews exist online for comprehensive analysis]

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The Oxford Companion to United States History by Paul S. Boyer The encyclopedia contains 1,400 entries that cover the social, political, and cultural history of the United States through biographical sketches, events, and movements.

Notable American Women by Edward T. James, Janet Wilson James, and Paul S. Boyer This biographical dictionary documents the lives of 1,359 American women who shaped U.S. history from colonial times to 1950.

Biography: A Brief History by Nigel Hamilton This work traces the development of biographical writing from ancient times through modern biographical works, examining changes in methodology and purpose across centuries.

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography by H.C.G. Matthew and Brian Harrison This comprehensive collection presents biographical entries for 50,000 individuals who influenced British history and culture from earliest times to the present.

📚 The Dictionary of American Biography spans 20 volumes and contains more than 15,000 biographical entries, making it one of the most comprehensive biographical collections in American history 🎓 Editor-in-chief Dumas Malone was Thomas Jefferson's principal biographer and spent 46 years researching and writing about Jefferson's life 📖 The original series took 11 years to complete (1926-1937) and required the work of more than 2,500 scholars and writers ✍️ Unlike many biographical collections, the DAB included entries about notable women, Native Americans, and African Americans at a time when such inclusion was rare 🏆 The project was funded by the New York Times Company and sponsored by the American Council of Learned Societies, marking one of the first major collaborations between media and academia in biographical publishing