Marquis Who's Who is an American publisher known for its directories containing short biographies of notable individuals. Founded in 1898 by Albert Nelson Marquis, the company published the first edition of Who's Who in America in 1899, profiling over 8,500 distinguished Americans. The publication aims to chronicle the lives of influential leaders and achievers in various fields such as politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, and entertainment
. Who's Who in America and related Marquis publications are widely used as trusted biographical references by libraries, researchers, journalists, corporate executives, and personnel recruiters. The selection of individuals for inclusion is based on their significant achievements and societal contributions, not on wealth or social status, and involves a stringent editorial review process
. Marquis Who's Who has expanded its offerings to include various editions like Who's Who in American Women , Who's Who in Science and Engineering , and Who's Who in the World , among others. It also provides an online database, Marquis Biographies Online, which offers real-time access to over a million biographies with advanced search capabilities
. Despite its long-standing reputation, the publisher has faced some criticism regarding its selection process and the accuracy of self-reported information. However, it remains a respected source for biographical data and continues to recognize accomplished professionals through programs like its Spotlight biographees
. In summary, Marquis Who's Who is a historic and authoritative American biographical publisher best known for Who's Who in America , a comprehensive directory of notable figures across many sectors in the United States.
