Below are some basic places to start when looking for biographical information. Don't forget to try newspapers that are contemporary to the individual in question, and to search for print encyclopedias and biographies in the Library Catalog.
Use these reference books to provide an overview of your topic, define terms, and list recommended readings. If connecting from home, make sure your computer is configured for off-campus access.
Many useful reference books are only available in print format. Below are catalog links to relevant books in the UCLA libraries.
UCLA Library has dictionaries of all kinds, ranging from basic to very specialized dictionaries for particular fields. Below are some of the many examples available.