Skip to Content

Historical Biographical Information

Online and Print Resources

United States Capitol

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–Present
This Web site contains biographical information on former and current Representatives, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, and Senators. The hardbound edition—Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–2005—is available through the Government Printing Office bookstore, or in PDF.

John Mercer Langston of Virginia, Detail, From the Virginia Plantation to the National Capitol (Hartford, CT: American Publishing Company, 1894)

Black Americans in Congress
This Web site, based on the book Black Americans in Congress, 1870–2007, contains biographical profiles of former African-American Members of Congress, links to information about current black Members, essays on institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of African Americans in Congress, and images of each individual Member, supplemented by other historical photos.

Florence Kahn Photo

Florence Kahn: Congressional Widow to Trailblazing Lawmaker
This site honors Florence Kahn of California, who served her late husband's district for 12 years and paved the way for women seeking political office.

House Members Who Became Members of the Supreme Court
This chart identifies individuals who served as both a Representative and a Supreme Court Justice. It lists their dates of House service and other major offices held.

John Quincy Portrait, Oil on canvas, Edwin Ahlstrom (after Jean-Baptiste-Adolphe Gibert), 2002, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives.

House Members Who Became President or Presidential Candidates
This chart identifies individuals who served as a Representative and became a President or Presidential Candidate. It lists their dates of House service, party affiliation, and other major offices held.

House Floor Staff at the Speaker’s Rostrum, 1930s, Image courtesy of Glenn Rupp, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Oral History of the U.S. House of Representatives
This Web site recounts the lives and experiences of those who have become a part of the institutional history of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jeannette Rankin Portrait, Sharon Sprung, 2004, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives.

Women in Congress
This Web site, based on the book Women in Congress, 1917–2006 , contains biographical profiles of former women Members of Congress, links to information about current women Members, essays on the institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of Congresswomen, and images of each woman Member, including rare photos.


Office of the Clerk - U.S. Capitol, Room H154, Washington, DC 20515-6601 | (202) 225-7000

For general inquiries: info.clerkweb@mail.house.gov
For general technical support: techsupport.clerkweb@mail.house.gov
For HouseLive support: houselive@mail.house.gov