Biographical information about the creator can provide valuable context about a work. When looking at biographical information consider the following:

• Where and when did the creator grow up?
• Did the creator have certain political, religious, philosophical, etc. views that might be impacting the work?
• What kind of groups or circles did the creator work in?
• Are there any personal relationships that impact the creator's writing?
• What other works did the creator write?
• What other works might have influenced the creator?

You can find biographical information about a creator using some of the following resources:

• Autobiographies: Often in the form of books or electronic books, autobiographies can give valuable insight into a creator's personal viewpoints and personal relationships. Carefully consider any bias the creator might have when reading autobiographies and how they may impact how they portray themselves and situations.
• Biographies: Biographies are usually compiled by scholars about a particular creator. They can be both brief articles or details accounts printed in books. These outside perspectives can comment more on the creator's historical significance, cultural impact, and accomplishments while providing a more unbiases view of the creator.
• Encyclopedias: Encyclopedias, especially specialized ones, might have an entry dedicated to a particular creator. These entries are often relatively short and give factual information. They might also provide references to other sources of information.
• Archives: Some well-known creators dedicate their papers and other personal writings to archival institutions. These primary source materials can offer great insight into a creator's life and thoughts.
• Critical Responses: Often times in writing about a creator's work, a scholar might give biographical details of their life.

Note: Some creators, especially those who are lesser known, might not have a lot of biographical information available. If you need help finding information, be sure to contact the library.

Autobiographies/Biographies:

You can easily search our book and electronic book holdings using the library catalog. The creator's name will often be in the title of the book. Consider searching their name (last name, first name) in the subject field using the advanced search or subject search.

Encyclopedia/Article Length Entries:

The following are different databases you can search for shorter biographical articles:

Archives:

You can search ArchiveGrid to locate archival collections that might have papers by your creator. ArchiveGrid will show you what institution holds any material and how to contact them.