Oakes, Elizabeth H. 1964–

PERSONAL: Born April 12, 1964, in Radford, VA; daughter of Robert L. (a banker) and Jeraldine Hines (a secretary) Oakes; children: Colter Lee Wilson, Ella Brooks Wilson. Education: Northwestern University, B.S.; Eastern Washington University, M.F.A.

ADDRESSES: Home—Missoula, MT.

CAREER: Writer. Elizabeth H. Oakes, Inc. (an editorial and writing services company), president; also worked as managing editor of Eastern Washington University Press.

WRITINGS:

Encyclopedia of World Scientists, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2000.

International Encyclopedia of Women Scientists, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2001.

A to Z Biographical Dictionary of Chemists, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2002.

A to Z Biographical Dictionary of STS Scientists and Inventors, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2002.

Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age, Greenwood Press (Westport, CT), 2004.

American Writers, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2004.

The Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: Elizabeth H. Oakes is a writer of reference books whose works have been applauded for providing valuable information in very accessible formats. Many of her titles deal with science and medicine, including the A to Z Biographical Dictionary of Chemists, the A to Z Biographical Dictionary of STS Scientists and Inventors, and The Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine.

Oakes has authored a one-volume resource, Encyclopedia of World Scientists, that provides information on nearly five hundred scientists, including both contemporary and historical figures. The entries, arranged alphabetically, are comprised of biographical data such as birth and death dates (where applicable), area of expertise, and a one-page essay summarizing family background, education, and life's work. An index on the field of study allows users to locate all the biochemists, for example, included in the volume. Other indexes include country of major activity, year of birth, and a general index. There is also a chronology that allows users to see overlapping careers and the relation between scientific discoveries over time. About half the entries include a portrait of the scientist, and a similar number of entries are dedicated to women and minority scientists. The result, according to Erica Lilly in Reference and User Services Quarterly, is a "very readable volume of almost five hundred concise and informative biographies." The one-volume format, which requires that the book cannot be all-inclusive, as a contributor to Booklist noted, also makes Encyclopedia of World Scientists "convenient" to use and an "affordable choice for most … libraries."

Another reference book written by Oakes is 2004's Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age. While previous titles have dealt only with a single discipline, this five-volume set covers a range of areas, including geography, U.S. history, government, economics, and world history, all accessible through the Internet and other electronic resources. Each volume addresses more than 100 topics total, and provides special resources specifically for teachers and students. Topics chosen for inclusion reflect national curriculum standards and have been reviewed by scholarly experts for appropriateness. Critics responded positively to Oakes' work. Many thought she adequately organized the multitude of electronic options available into a format that was easy to read and understand. Oakes does a "superb job in closely examining and describing electronic resources," observed Library Journal contributor Stanley P. Hodge. Others lauded the book set as an excellent resource for students. Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age "fill[s] a niche and the topic listings in each discipline will help many students in topic selection," wrote Molly Molloy in a review for Reference and User Services Quarterly.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, August, 2001, review of Encyclopedia of World Scientists, p. 2169; February 1, 2003, review of A to Z Biographical Dictionary of Chemists, p. 1008; March 15, 2003, review of A to Z Biographical Dictionary of STS Scientists and Inventors, p. 1344; September 15, 2004, Lisa Johnston, review of American Writers, p. 275; April 15, 2005, Susan Gooden, review of The Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine, p. 1480.

Choice, May, 2001, R.J. Havlik, review of Encyclopedia of World Scientists, p. 1606.

Library Journal, September 15, 2004, Stanley P. Hodge, review of Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age, p. 82.

Reference and User Services Quarterly, summer, 2001, Erica Lilly, review of Encyclopedia of World Scientists, p. 383; summer, 2002, David M. Fagerstrom, review of Encyclopedia of Women Scientists, p. 392; winter, 2004, Molly Molloy, review of Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age, p. 173.