Information about people can be found in books, journals, and websites. To find books, search the Subject file of the Library Catalogue under the individual's name (e.g., Sobey, Frank), or use subject headings such as Businessmen–Canada--Biography. Many people will not have had an entire book written about them, so be sure to check BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARIES, which are compilations of biographical information on numerous individuals. Some biographical dictionaries simply list essential facts about a person, while other sources present the facts in a narrative form using complete sentences. Some also include a list of bibliographical references which can be useful for finding additional biographical information.
There are many standard biographical dictionaries. The following will be useful when searching for information about political people:
Biographical Dictionary
Covers more than 28,000 notable men and women from ancient times to the present day. Can be searched by birth years, death years, positions held, professions, literary and artistic works, achievements, and other keywords. Use the Advanced Search for searches by field of endeavour.
Biography Index (1946-2007)
Index to biographies of prominent people from every field. Biographies appear in articles in over 3,000 journals, as well as in books. Includes index by profession/occupation.
Indexes
Canadian Offices Abroad: Embassies and Consulates
Provides a link to a listing of Canadian Representatives Abroad by Country; Cities with Canadian Representatives; International Organizations; and Officers. Also provides a link to description of Canadian Government offices abroad.
Canadian Parliamentary Guide
Annual publication with information on both federal and provincial governments as well as their elected officials. The guide contains biographical information about members of the Governor General's Household, the Privy Council, the House of Commons, the Senate, each provincial legislature, judiciary, diplomatic corps, commissions, boards, and public service officials. The Guide also contains the results of all federal elections and by-elections, from 1867 onward, as well as the results of the most recent provincial elections.
REF: JL5.A4
Canadian Parliamentary Handbook
Provides biographical sketches of senators and members of parliament. Provides a brief introduction to the Canadian parliamentary process, the Governor General's role, the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament.
REF: JL5.B44
Canadian Who's Who (1910- )
Concise, comprehensive biographies of prominent Canadians from a wide variety of occupations and professions. 1979-2006 and selected years from 1910-1975 are also available as e-books to the UPEI community.
REF: FC25.C38
Chambers Dictionary of Political Biography
Provides information on 1100 individuals who have had or continue to have an impact on the modern political world. Coverage is international. Also includes a Glossary of political terms and a Quotations section.
REF: JA66.C35 1991
Current Biography Yearbook (1940- )
Includes biographies of persons of various nationalities, professions, and occupations, who are currently popular in their particular fields. Each yearbook contains a classified list by occupations.
REF: CT100.C8
Federal Cabinet Appointments Handbook
Provides comprehensive information on most governor-in-council appointments.
REF: JL97.F43 1996
Federal Guidebook: A Guidebook to the Canadian Federal Government and its Decision-makers
Describes what each department and agency does and who the major decision-makers are; keeps you abreast of changes in both personnel and organization which have occurred over the past year.
REF: JL71.F37 2001-2002
Federal Lobbyists
Provides information on public policy advocacy in Canada. The information is arranged by: 1) Lobbyist, including the names, the addresses and the phone numbers of all Consultants, organizations and corporate lobbyists; 2) Consultant lobby firms, including a list of their lobbyists and clients; 3) Client organizations, including all lobbyists working on their behalf. Also includes industry profile; profile of policy papers; industry structure; ranking of firms, and articles on the state of government relations.
REF: JL86.L62F43 1994
Guide to Canadian Ministries Since Confederation, July 1, 1967 - Feb. 1, 1982
Provides a chronological list of ministries, including names and dates of service and formation and abolition of departments and offices.
REF: JL97.G8 1982
International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who
Annual publication giving basic facts about nations and selected international organizations. It also provides a chronological diary of events and a large biographical section. Provides: 1. Information on the structure and functions of the world's major international and national organizations; 2. A comprehensive overview of the political, economic and social landscape of the world's countries; 3. Biographies of 8,000 leading world figures.
REF: JA51.I57
Who's Who in Canada (1914- )
An illustrated biographical record of leading Canadians from business, the professions, government, and academia. The Subject Index at the back groups people by occupation, e.g., Diplomatic Service, Government, Intergovernmental Affairs, Judges, Premiers, Senators.
REF: FC25.W62
Created by: Cathy Callaghan, B.A., M.L.S.
Date Created: 30-June-2000
Date Revised: 16-September-2013