Biographical Directory of the Executive Branch, 1774-1989

Subjects:

• History » American History (General)
• Political Science » Presidential Studies

Reviews:

• The third update of a work originally published in 1971 and enlarged in 1977. Each new edition has increased the number of entries by 10 percent. A one-page preface introduces the alphabetically arranged career biographies of all cabinet heads confirmed in office by the Senate-thus, acting cabinet officals are omitted. Also included are presidents, vice-presidents, and presidents of the Continental Congress. The biographies written by a team of 32 historical researchers give significant dates in the person's life, family and personal information, religion, career activities before and after cabinet service, and place of death and interment. The entries, which vary in length, close with short bibliographic references to primary and secondary resources for additional information. Eight appendixes (167 pages) tabulate such aspects as education, place of birth, and marital information. The volume is highly recommended for all types of libraries, particularly those lacking an earlier edition, as a very useful ready reference tool, for research, students, and political history enthusiasts.
  —Choice
• . . . The biographical information and lists of offices and their holders should make this work a useful addition to many academic and public libraries. The more prominent persons are included in other biographical works, but many others are obscure and would be difficult to locate.
  —Booklist
• First published in 1971 and covering 1774 through 1971, Sobel's Biographical Directory, a valuable counterpart to the government-sponsored Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989 (Washington: GPO, 1989), is now nearly as much of an institution as the presidency itself. As in the previous editions, this covers all men and women who have served in either of the executive branch's two elective offices or any of its cabinet-level positions. . . . Already a proven performer, this edition renews the directory's value as a source of unvarnished factual information about presidents and policymakers since the Continental Congress set the nation's course.
  —Wilson Library Bulletin
• The overall content of this work is consistent and well organized. It goes a long way toward complementing the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1789, and is recommended for all public and academic library collections.
  —Preview

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Biographies
• Appendixes
• Presidential Administrations
• Heads of State and Cabinet Officials
• Other Federal Government Service
• State, Country, and Municipal Government Service
• Military Service by Branch
• Education
• Place of Birth
• Marital Information
• Index