Mexican American Biographies: A Historical Dictionary, 1836-1987

by Matt S. Meier

Overview

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 Jourbanal

This 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313245213
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/04/1988
Pages:	279
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

Preface
Mexican American Biographies
Appendix A: List of Biographees by Field of Professional Activity
Appendix B: List of Biographees by State
Index

Editorial Reviews

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. Arranged alphabetically, entries contain pertinent information and are usually followed by suggestions for further reading. Appendixes list biographees by field of activity and by state. The most significant representations are for teaching, politics and government, business, and civic affairs. Though not comprehensive (many solicited biographees failed to respond to Meier's queries), this is still highly recommended for large public libraries and special collections. Roy H. Tryon, Delaware State Archives, Dover

Library Journal