Biographical books and book entries can be found using the ORU Library Catalog and reference or ebook databases.
Ebook titles are included in the library catalog with links to the ebook, but you may prefer to search an ebook database instead of using the library catalog. Two key academic ebook databases are listed below.

Search the Library Catalog

opens new window Library Catalog
In the library catalog, key in your person's name and/or biography. Click Go to view the list of results.
- In the Advanced Keyword Search, select Subject as the field to search and key in biography. On the next line, key in the person's name.
- Browse Subjects - Select the Subject field to search, then key in biography. View opens new window Biography subject heading.

FeaturedEbooks

Ebook Collection (EBSCO) database

Full-text ebooks in all disciplines. Free downloads. Restricts full text viewing to 1-5 simultaneous readers for some ebooks. See opens new windowEBSCO eBooks User Guide

Ebook Central database

opens new windowEbook Central
Includes more than 150,000 academic ebooks from scholarly and professional publishers, along with hundreds of encyclopedias and dictionaries. Create a user bookshelf to store and annotate your selected books. View opens new windowProQuest Ebook Central Bookshelf video (YouTube, 2:28 mins.)

Sample Reference Book Titles

General biographical resources are shelved in the CT call number section.
Subject and specialized sources are shelved among related topical works. For example, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians is shelved in the ML, or music section. While generally defining terms and concepts, some sources may give biographical information for persons important in their particular field.

  • Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling, BF31.B25 LRC-R
  • Biographical Dictionary of Psychology, BF109. A1B56 LRC-R
  • The Book of Women's Firsts: Breakthrough Achievements... , CT3260.R428 LRC-R
  • The Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia, CT103. C4
  • The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, CT213. C36 LRC-R
  • Dictionary of Pastoral Care & Counseling, BV4011.D43 LRC-R
  • Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, BR1644.D53 LRC-R
    Many significant religious leaders are described in this book.
  • opens new windowEncyclopedia Judaica, also available in print, DS102.8.E496 LRC-R
  • International Who's Who, CT120. I5 LRC-R
    Brief resumes of prominent people throughout the world.
  • McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography, CT103. M27 LRC-R
    One to two page descriptions of influential figures from the history of the world. A short bibliography ends each article.
  • opens new window Oral Roberts: An American Life, ebook
  • opens new windowOxford Dictionary of Saints, ebook
  • opens new windowScientists, Mathematicians, and Inventors...People Who Changed the World, ebook
  • Who's Who in America, E663.W56 LRC-R
    Brief resumes of prominent people in the U.S.
  • Who's Who…An Annual Biographical Dictionary, DA28.W6 LRC-R
    Brief resumes of prominent people in Great Britain.