Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Library computers have full access to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Library members can also get access from home.
Some of our reference libraries also have the printed dictionary.
Logo - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
What is the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography?
Explore the lives of more than 55,000 people who shaped Britain's past from the 4th century BC to the year 2002, including:
- full text search for people, places and organisations
- themed information such as kings and queens or prime ministers
- 10,000 portrait illustrations.
See 'Today's life' to find out what happened to a famous person on this date in the past.
Use Oxford Dictionary of National Biography at home
If you are a library member, you can use your library card number and personal identification number (PIN) to search the full version of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography from home. Find out how to get a PIN for online services.
If you have any problems accessing this database from home, see our help page on how to use the E-library databases.
Library members
Non-members – limited access
