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To locate books, search the UMD Libraries' catalog. Try one of the following search terms:
scientists
scientists united states (or other country name)
science united states (or other country name) biography
scientists united states (or other country name) biography
scientists biography
engineers biography
scientists biography dictionaries
engineers biography dictionaries
scientists biography
science bio-bibliography
women scientists biography
women engineers biography
women scientists united states (or other country name)
african american scientists biography
african american women scientists biography
women biologists biography
women physical scientists biography
To locate video, audio, archival or other information formats, use UMD Libraries' catalog and limit your results to Format>See all>Video on the left side menu.
To find biographical information covering a broad subject area such as chemistry, type the keywords chemistry biograph* . The asterisk (*) at the end of the word's root biograph* is a truncation symbol which tells the catalog to retrieve variant endings (biography, biographies, biographical, biographically, etc.).
If there is a particular item you want but cannot find in our libraries, you may request it via Interlibrary Loan.
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When searching for biographies, it helps to know some basic facts about the person you are researching. You can often find very basic information about a person by checking an encyclopedia such as:
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology by
For nearly four decades, the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology has lead the world to the ever-expanding frontiers of science. Our seven previous editions are the most consulted, most respected, and best-reviewed science and technical references in the English language. And our new Eighth Edition will build on the strength of its predecessors, and become the science and technology reference of choice for thousands of libraries around the world. The 20 volumes of the Eighth Edition have been updated and revised to provide in-depth coverage of the latest international advances and newest developments in all areas of contemporary science and technology. There are 1,500 new articles, and an additional 250 articles completely revised. We've added more than 200 new contributors, supervised by 30 new members of our prestigious Editorial Board. In addition, there are new graphics, new double-page color spreads, completely revised bibliographies throughout, and a superb new Activities Guide to help teachers and librarians lead young people into the exciting world of science. -- allometry -- archeoastronomy -- blue straggler star -- carpal tunnel syndrome -- computational fluid dynamics -- cytokine -- decision support systems -- digital filter -- drug delivery systems -- fullerene -- geographic information systems -- Godel's theorem -- indoor air pollution -- mastisis -- mathematical software -- Maxwell's d
Van Nostrand's Concise Encyclopedia of Science by
Based on the 4000-page, two-volume Van Nostrand's Science Encyclopedia 9th edition, this authoritative, concise encyclopaedia of science features over 5000 entries that cover science, technology and mathematics terms and concepts. Its approachable writing level and lively design make this book easy to use.
Biographical Dictionary of American and Canadian Naturalists and Environmentalists by
Casting a wide net, this volume provides personal and professional information on some 445 American and Canadian naturalists and environmentalists, who lived from the late 15th century to the late 20th century. It includes explorers who published works on the natural history of North America, conservationists, ecologists, environmentalists, wildlife management specialists, park planners, national park administrators, zoologists, botanists, natural historians, geographers, geologists, academics, museum scientists and administrators, military personnel, travellers, government officials, political figures and writers and artists concerned with the environment. Some of the subjects are well known. The accomplishments of others are little known. Each entry contains a succinct but careful evaluation of the subject's career and contributions. Entries also include up-to-date bibliographies and information concerning manuscript sources.
Brilliant Blunders by
WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. Nobody's perfect. Not even some of the greatest geniuses in history, as Mario Livio tells us in this marvelous story of scientific error and breakthrough. Charles Darwin, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), Linus Pauling, Fred Hoyle, and Albert Einstein were all brilliant scientists. Each made groundbreaking contributions to his field-but each also stumbled badly. Darwin's theory of natural selection shouldn't have worked, according to the prevailing beliefs of his time. Not until Gregor Mendel's work was known would there be a mechanism to explain natural selection. How could Darwin be both wrong and right? Lord Kelvin, Britain's leading scientific intellect at the time, gravely miscalculated the age of the earth. Linus Pauling, the world's premier chemist (who would win the Nobel Prize in chemistry) constructed an erroneous model for DNA in his haste to beat the competition to publication. Astrophysicist Fred Hoyle dismissed the idea of a "Big Bang" origin to the universe (ironically, the caustic name he gave to this event endured long after his erroneous objections were disproven). And Albert Einstein, whose name is synonymous with genius, speculated incorrectly about the forces that hold the universe in equilibrium-and that speculation opened the door to brilliant conceptual leaps. These five scientists expanded our knowledge of life on earth, the evolution of the earth itself, and the evolution of the universe, despite and because of their errors. As Mario Livio luminously explains, the scientific process advances through error. Mistakes are essential to progress. Brilliant Blunders is a singular tour through the world of science and scientific achievement-and a wonderfully insightful examination of the psychology of five fascinating scientists.
