Skip to main content

Biographical Information: African-American Specific Resources

This guide will show you the best ways to find information about people, be they authors, scholars, historical figures or contemporary newsmakers.

Find Biographical Information about African-Americans

By David Kernow at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Ask a Librarian

Questions?
Email, call, chat, or visit with a librarian.

Indexes and Full-Text Online Resources

While other resources listed in this guide include African-American subjects, the resources below cover them specifically.

African American Newspapers, 1827-1998 [includes description]
Can use the "Article Types" tab to limit to 'Death Notices.'

African American Resources Research Guide
Guide to African American resources available through UK Libraries.

Black Congressmen During Reconstruction: A Documentary Sourcebook (includes description)
Black Literature Criticism: Classic and Emerging Authors since 1950 (includes description)
Includes biographical information.

Black Women in America
Historical biographical coverage, with current additions in the 2nd ed., including Venus and Serena Williams, Condoleezza Rice, Carol Moseley Braun, Ruth Simmons, and Ann Fudge. Nearly 600 entries.

Contemporary Black Biography (includes description)

Encyclopedia of African American Education
Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History
Covers the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Includes biographies, historical essays, and thematic pieces.

Encyclopedia of Race and Crime (includes description)
Encyclopedia of Race and Racism (includes description)
Ethnic NewsWatch (includes description)
Limit person's name by selecting "Document Type": 'Biography.' You may also limit by "Ethnic Group."
Notable Kentucky African Americans (NKAA) (includes description)
Voices from the Gaps (includes description)
Covers women writers and artists of color in North America, including Asian, Black, Latina, and Native women.

Who's Who Among African Americans
Provides biographical and career details on notable African American individuals, including leaders from sports, the arts, business, and religion. 22nd ed.

Primary Sources in the Special Collections Research Center

African American Primary Resources in the Special Collections Research Center
by Reinette F. Jones Last Updated Dec 7, 2018 80 views this year
Abolition: Primary Sources
by Breckinridge Research Room Last Updated Nov 21, 2018 32 views this year
Civil Rights in Kentucky - Oral Histories
by Doug Boyd Last Updated Dec 18, 2018 53 views this year
Equal/Women's Rights: Primary Sources in Special Collections
by Breckinridge Research Room Last Updated Nov 20, 2018 68 views this year
Slaves/Slavery: Primary Sources in Special Collections
by Breckinridge Research Room Last Updated Nov 26, 2018 85 views this year