The History of
Marquis Who's Who

A rich and comprehensive look at our growth as the premier biographer

Marquis' Milestones

Over the years, the Marquis Who’s Who family of biographical references has grown into several print and online databases, programs, and services. Throughout their careers, successful professionals have relied on Marquis Who’s Who to expertly archive and showcase each milestone and accomplishment. Our first publication contained the biographies of 8,602 prominent Americans—and we have only expanded since then. 

Take a look at some of our proudest accomplishments throughout the years as we continue to develop new and innovative ways of honoring the best of the best in every professional industry around the world.

1900 - 1950

1903 — The Prestige of Who’s Who in America

Along with the uniformly positive reviews Who’s Who in America receives, it becomes a sought after resource for statistical and demographic studies. An early example is Professor Edwin Dexter’s study, “High Grade Men: In College and Out,” which appears in Popular Science Monthly. In the study, Professor Dexter tabulates the

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1850 - 1899

1899 — Reviews of the 1st Edition of Who’s Who in America

The reviews of the first edition of Who’s Who in America are very positive. “This book will be indispensable to every reader of newspapers, to every library, and to every man and woman who reads or writes.” –The Chicago Tribune “It is certainly something new in American bookmaking and occupies

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1850 - 1899

1899 — The Beginning of a Legacy

After arriving in Chicago, Marquis continues to operate his publishing company, A.N. Marquis and Company and becomes a newspaperman. He is fascinated by Chicago’s resurgence as it begins rising from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and establishes itself as the industrial and trade capital of the

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1850 - 1899

1855 — Our Founder’s Humble Beginnings

Marquis Who’s Who founder, Albert Nelson Marquis is born on January 10 in Brown County, Southern Ohio. Orphaned as a child and raised by his maternal grandparents, he works in his grandfather’s general store as a boy, and following his grandfather’s passing, he manages the store from age 18 to

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