Biographies

Individual Bios | Collective Bios | American Revolution/Colonial America | Black History | Explorers | Inventors

Musicians | Presidents | Scientists | Women

How to Write a Biography

• The Biography Maker

  Need to write a biography for an assignment? This site will give you tips to help you get an "A" on that assignment!

Individual Biographies

• Amelia Earhart

  Biography and photographs of the popular American aviator whose plane mysteriously disappeared off the coast of Howland Island in 1937. An attractive and informative site which also provides bibliographic information and links to additional resources of interest.

   

• Henry Ford

  This page contains the text of an article which will give you information about Henry Ford's life from childhood on, and the important role he played in building aircraft, tanks, armored cars, jeeps and engines during World War II.

   

• Benjamin Franklin: Glimpses of the Man

  This quick glimpse at the long life (1706-1790) of a complex man is meant to help you learn about Ben Franklin and to let you see how his ideas are still alive in our world today.

   

• Monticello: The Home of Thomas Jefferson

  Share a day in the life of Thomas Jefferson, tour Monticello, and learn facts about this famous American.

   

• Martin Luther King, Jr.

  Learn about the role Martin Luther King played in shaping the America we know today. This site contains sound files, photos, timelines, and activities related to Dr. King's life. There are also sections on Martin Luther King Day and the Civil Rights Movement.

   

• Martin Luther King, Jr Website at Stanford University

  This site is valuable because it provides the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as information about his life. There is both a timeline of important events in Dr. King's life, as well as a brief biography.

   

• Abraham Lincoln Online

  An impressive, comprehensive and well-organized site about Abraham Lincoln, his life and times. Test your knowledge with the "Lincoln Quiz of the Month"!

   

• The History Place presents Abraham Lincoln

  A timeline of events in Abraham Lincoln's life accompanied by links to the text of documents, letters, and speeches as well as to pictures.

   

• The Jack London Collection

  This is THE source for information about Jack London on the internet! You will find biographical information, pictures, letters and other papers from his life, and can even read some of his stories here. This is not easy reading, though, and you may need to ask your teacher, parent, or keep a dictionary close at hand to help you understand some of what you read.

   

• Baseball, the Color Line and Jackie Robinson

  This is a detailed timeline of Jackie Robinson's life in baseball from the Library of Congress's American Memory Collection.

   

   

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Collective Biographies

• Academy of Achievement

  This outstanding site offers a look at the lives and words of people whose accomplishments have helped to shape the 20th century. Look in the "Gallery of Achievement" for profiles of individuals who have excelled in the Arts, Public Service, Sports, Business, Science and Exploration. "Steps to Success" explores the qualities that made them successful.

   

• Biography

  A searchable database that puts 15,000 of the greatest names, past and present, at your fingertips. Click on a letter, or enter a name to discover who they were, what they did, and why. Biographies are brief, but will give you a great start on researching that person you were assigned to do a report on who you never heard of before!

   

• My Hero

  This is an interesting site in that the biographies are contributed by visitors to the site and feature people, both well-known and not-so-well-known, who are admired by others. The biographies are organized in categories including sports, explorers, science, writers, etc., which makes it easier for you to find the specific person you're looking for. The biographies are well-written and include pictures and links to additional sources of information.

   

• The Time 100: The Most Important People of the 20th Century

  This site offers 20 profiles in each of five categories: Leaders & Revolutionaries, Artists & Entertainers, Builders & Titans, Scientists & Healers, and Heroes & Inspirations. Each category offers audio and video clips, links to related websites, TIME archives, and quizzes and polls. Interactive timelines show how the century unfolded.

   

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American Revolution / Colonial America

• Colonial Hall: Biographies of America's Founding Fathers

  An ongoing project to put the biographies of the founding fathers on the Web. These are currently divided into three categories: Signers of the Declaration, Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.

   

• Notable Women of Early America

  This site offers brief information on some of the women who made important contributions to our country's early history.

   

• The Patriot Resource: Historic Figures

  Provides brief biographies (with pictures) of key people among the Patriots, Continentals and British.

   

• Paul Revere Biography

  Learn about the life of Paul Revere, from his famous Midnight Ride, to his Silver Shop and Copper Mill.  Also includes the answers to frequently asked questions about this important revolutionary figure.

   

• People of the Revolution

  A brief "who's who" of the Revolution with a focus on espionage.

   

• The Philadelphia Campaign 1777: People

  The American Revolutionary War is the story of people. Here you will find biographical information about people who played a role in the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777.

   

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Black History Resources

• Biographies of Notable African Americans

  This is a large collection of links to biographies of both historic and current Black Americans from many different fields. You can browse by name or by category.

   

• Profiles of Some Important 19th Century African Americans

  Biographies of 12 notable Black Americans are featured here: Alexander Crummell, Frederick Douglass, Henry Highland Garnet, Harriet Tubman, Henry McNeal Turner, John Mercer Langston, Mary Elizabeth Boswer, Mary Church Terrell, Mary Ann Shadd, Nat Turner, Richard Allen, and Sojurner Truth. While you're here, try the African American History Challenge!

   

• Black History Month

  Profiles of sixty men and women who've made a difference in the arts, entertainment, sports, world affairs, human rights and history. You'll also find a timeline of important events in African American history.

   

• Encyclopaedia Britannica Guide to Black History

  Biographical information, photos, and occasionally even video clips of many, many famous Black Americans can be found here.  A top quality site!

   

• Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences

  A goldmine of information about the accomplishments of African American chemists, biologists, inventors, engineers, and mathematicians! Includes a picture and brief biography of each scientist.

   

• Hall of Black Achievement Gallery

  A collection of brief biographies of notable Black Americans. Many of the files include audio clips.

   

• Honoring African American Astronauts

  This NASA site features photographs and brief biographies of 10 black astronauts, including Mae Jemison, Ronald McNair, and Guion Bluford.

   

• Martin Luther King, Jr.

  Learn about the role Martin Luther King played in shaping the America we know today. This site contains sound files, photos, timelines, and activities related to Dr. King's life. There are also sections on Martin Luther King Day and the Civil Rights Movement.

   

• Martin Luther King, Jr Website at Stanford University

  This site is valuable because it provides the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as information about his life. There is both a timeline of important events in Dr. King's life, as well as a brief biography.

   

• Prominent African Americans

  This site links to biographical information on over 50 African Americans, most of whom are from the arts and politics, including many current people as well as a few historical figures.

   

• Stamp on Black History

  Learn about Black History through the accomplishments of Black Americans who have been featured on U.S. Postal stamps. Choose from an index sorted alphabetically by name, by curriculum area, or take the Black History Tour which will introduce you to each person's contributions in context of the decade during which their achievements were most important. This site was created for the Think Quest competition.

   

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Explorers

• Zoom Explorers

  This site offers brief descriptions of many explorers, with a link to more information for many of them. This link takes you to the "B" page; use the letters under "Zoom Explorers" and select the letter your explorer's last name begins with.

   

• Gander Academy's European Explorers Resources on the World Wide Web

  This site provides an index of explorers organized by the country they explored.  Click on the explorer's name to reach a page of links to online resources about that explorer.

   

• Explorers of the World

  Biographical information about individuals who changed the world through exploration of land, sky, ideas and art.

   

• Discoverers Web

  A comprehensive resource for information about voyages of discovery and exploration through the ages. Includes biographical profiles of explorers which can be searched alphabetically.

   

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Inventors

• The Farnsworth Chronicles

  Unless you're from Utah, you may not realize that the person you have to thank for the invention of the television was a Utah farmboy names Philo T. Farnsworth. And I'll bet you're pretty thankful for your television. Well, let's give credit where credit is due! Here's Philo's story.

   

• The Invention Dimension

  This site highlights a different American inventor every week with a biographical sketch covering his or her accomplishments and their impact on society. Subjects range from historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, the inventor of the lightning rod and Franklin stove, to living legends such as Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the brains behind the original Apple computer.

   

• National Inventors Hall of Fame: Index of Inventors

  Part of Inventure Place, the website of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, you can search here for information by inventor, or by invention.

   

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Musicians

 

• Essentials of Music: Composers

  This quality site provides you with biographical information about composers, and in many cases, lets you listen to samples of their music.

   

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Presidents

• Abraham Lincoln Online

  An impressive, comprehensive and well-organized site about Abraham Lincoln, his life and times. Test your knowledge with the "Lincoln Quiz of the Month"!

   

• The History Place presents Abraham Lincoln

  A timeline of events in Abraham Lincoln's life accompanied by links to the text of documents, letters, and speeches as well as to pictures.

   

• The American Presidency

  Quick facts, biographies, inaugural addresses, election results and more from the Grolier Encyclopedia people.

   

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Scientists

• Biographies of Women Mathematicians

  Here is a site which highlights the achievements of women in the field of mathematics. This is a "work in progress", and biographies are not yet available for all of the mathematicians listed here, but the information available to date is complete, detailed, and very useful for school projects!

   

• Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences

  A goldmine of information about the accomplishments of African American chemists, biologists, inventors, engineers, and mathematicians! Includes a picture and brief biography of each scientist.

   

• Super Scientists: A Gallery of Energy Pioneers

  Here is a source of photos and brief biographical information about several scientists who made important contributions in the field of energy.

   

• Windows to the Universe: People

  This page from the University of Michigan's terrific Windows to the Universe site will help you find the information you need about famous people in astronomy and related fields. The biographies are arranged by time period, from the philosophers and astronomers of Ancient Greece to the astronauts and scientists of modern times. (Hint: click on the "Beginner" button in the upper right hand corner of the page for the easiest reading level!)

   

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Women's History Resources

• Biographies of Women Mathematicians

  Here is a site which highlights the achievements of women in the field of mathematics. This is a "work in progress", and biographies are not yet available for all of the mathematicians listed here, but the information available to date is complete, detailed, and very useful for school projects!

   

• Celebrating Women's History Month: Biographies

  Provides detailed biographies on 50 women from all eras, complete with suggestions for further reading. Reliable and valuable information from the folks at Gale Research!

   

• Distinguished Women of Past and Present

  This site has biographies of women who contributed to our culture in many different ways. There are writers, educators, scientists, heads of state, politicians, civil rights leaders, artists, entertainers, and others. You can search alphabetically by name, or by field of endeavor.

   

• The National Women's Hall of Fame

  This site features mini-biographies of 125 remarkable women-- a good starting point for your biographical research!

   

• The National Women's Hall of Fame: The Women of the Hall

  Learn about women whose contributions have earned them a place in the National Women's Hall of Fame. Includes photos and brief biographical information. This would be an excellent site from which to select a famous woman for the subject of your Women's History Month project!

   

• Notable Women of Early America

  This site offers brief information on some of the women who made important contributions to our country's early history.

   

• Women in Alaska's History

  This wonderful site is another project developed by students for the Think Quest competition. Learn about the women who helped shape Alaska as we know it today. You'll find adventurers, Iditarod competitors, Gold Rush participants, and the women of today. Informative, and beautifully done!

   

• Women in American History

  Another exceptional site by the people at Encyclopedia Britannica! There's much more here than just biographies-- although you'll find that too (click on "Articles"). This resource will enable you to explore a timeline of women's history, view primary source documents, listen to important quotes-- even watch videos! One-stop shopping for your Women's History Month project!

   

• Women in History

  Most (but not all) the links you find here will connect you with an outline of facts about the life of the famous woman you've selected. Each page usually has a photograph, quote, and sometimes links to other sites about the woman. If the woman you are researching is found here, this will be a good starting point for you because the information is organized nicely.

   

• Women Nobel Prize Laureates

  In 1903, only 2 years after the Nobel Foundation was established, a Nobel Prize was awarded to a woman, Marie Curie, for the first time. Women have been winning Nobel Prizes ever since. Learn about the recipients of this prestigious award! This site features background information, photographs, biographies, and links to additional resources for each Nobel prize winner. The amount of information varies from individual to individual, and users are invited to contribute links to additional information. Links to women's professional organizations are also found here.

   

• Women of Achievement

  This site provides brief, factual information about women who have achieved success in a variety of fields as well as links to additional sites which are often much more detailed and comprehensive.

   

• Women of the Iditarod

  "Alaska...where men are men and women win the Iditarod." Here is the story of the women who have done it!

   

• Women's International Center Biography Index

  The brief biographies found at this site tend to highlight the humanitarian aspects of the lives of famous women. Volunteer work with children, efforts to educate the public about health concerns, and groundbreaking achievements which have made it possible for other women to follow and succeed are typical examples. Most biographies are accompanied by a black and white photo.

   

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