New Dictionary of Scientific Biography (Dictionary of Scientific Biography (8 Vols))

From School Library Journal
Grade 10 Up—These approximately 740 articles update information found in the Dictionary of Scientific Biography (1970–1980) and its two-volume 1990 supplement. They also reevaluate previously discussed scientists (Isaac Newton); add prominent individuals who have died since the previous publication (Stephen Gould); include new or previously minimally treated fields such as computer science (Ada Lovelace), ecology (Aldo Leopold), the sociology and philosophy of science (Thomas Kuhn), and psychology (Jean Piaget); and groups underrepresented in the earlier editions, such as Arabic peoples of the medieval era, females, African Americans, and Asians.

This latter extension is hard to verify, as there is no ethnic-, nationality-, or gender-based list; African-American scientists Charles Drew and Percy Julian, however, are absent. Articles discuss the scientists' lives and the social context and technical aspects of their work. Each entry includes a bibliography, and many have black-and-white portraits or photographs of subjects at work. Though generally comprehensible to students with a strong science background, some articles are more accessible than others. A detailed index, cross-references, and a list of scientists by field are additional strengths. Schools that have the earlier work may want this update; others may prefer the electronic Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography, which includes the material from both print works.—Judith V. Lechner, Auburn University, AL