Mexican American Biographies

A unique biographical source revealing the experiences common to Mexican-Americans as well as the `diversity and complexity of their struggles to enter the mainstream.' Of the 270 men and women included, approximately 200 are contemporary Mexican-Americans. . . . [H]ighly recommended for large public libraries and special collections. Library JournalThis biographical dictionary provides a useful source for identifying the important figures in the Mexican American/Chicano experience from 1848 to the present. It includes approximately 280 figures, many of whom are contemporary leaders in politics, education, the arts, sports, and other fields. Arranged alphabetically, the entries contain brief biographies of the people who have made Mexican American history while playing important roles in American society, the focus is primarily on public and professional life, with the most important figures receiving greater attention and more detailed histories. Most of the entries are followed by one or more bibliographic references; there are indexes of the biographees by state and by fields of activity. An outstanding feature of this sourcebook is the inclusion of a broader scope of information about each of the figures, such as their social and intellectual background, academic training, their development in their chosen fields, and signal achievements as shown by appointments, awards, and prizes.

?Matt Meier's Mexican American Biographies: A Historical Dictionary, 1836-1987 is a librarians' dream and a historian/researchers' gold mine!!! There is a definite need for this work for students who study issues which relate to Mexican American/Chicano/Latino topics, and for us reference librarians who know that this item will be frequently utilized by both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty in the field of Chicano Studies for writing grants, reports, research papers, and Chicano history term papers. Professor Meier's dictionary is timely and informative, and invaluable as a reference source for both public and academic libraries.?-Christine Martin, Assistant Archivist, Chicano Studies Collection, Hayden Library, Arizona State University, ?The first significant biographical dictionary on Mexican Americans, this includes some 270 sketches of Mexican American men and women, 200 of whom are contemporary figures. Appendixes list biographies by field of activity (all important fields of endeavor are covered) and by state. The two-paragraph to two-page entries treat social and intellectual formation, academic training, achievement as evidenced by appointments, awards, and prizes, and most importantly, historical significance.?-Library Journal, "The first significant biographical dictionary on Mexican Americans, this includes some 270 sketches of Mexican American men and women, 200 of whom are contemporary figures. Appendixes list biographies by field of activity (all important fields of endeavor are covered) and by state. The two-paragraph to two-page entries treat social and intellectual formation, academic training, achievement as evidenced by appointments, awards, and prizes, and most importantly, historical significance."-Library Journal, "Matt Meier's Mexican American Biographies: A Historical Dictionary, 1836-1987 is a librarians' dream and a historian/researchers' gold mine!!! There is a definite need for this work for students who study issues which relate to Mexican American/Chicano/Latino topics, and for us reference librarians who know that this item will be frequently utilized by both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty in the field of Chicano Studies for writing grants, reports, research papers, and Chicano history term papers. Professor Meier's dictionary is timely and informative, and invaluable as a reference source for both public and academic libraries."-Christine Martin, Assistant Archivist, Chicano Studies Collection, Hayden Library, Arizona State University

MATT S. MEIER is the Patrick A. Donohoe Professor in the Department of History at Santa Clara University.