Milton Berle, George Harrison and Dale Earnhardt Among Noteworthy Individuals Profiled in 2000-2002 Edition of Who Was Who in America.

Business Editors

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2002

Marquis Who's Who, the leading biographical publisher in America, today announced the commercial release of the 2000-2002 Edition of Who Was Who in America(R), a comprehensive reference volume with more than 3,300 accurate biographies of the most noteworthy men and women to have passed away within the last two years.

Among the biographees whose final profiles are included in Who Was Who in America 2000-2002 are Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Perry Como, Dale Earnhardt, Katharine Graham, George Harrison, John Joseph Cardinal O'Connor, Isaac Stern and the Queen Mother of England.

In addition to highly recognizable biographees, the new title also profiles hundreds of lesser-known individuals whose lives had a tremendous impact on America, such as:

-- Herbert L. Block - The Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for The Washington Post, who under the name "Herblock" skewered every president since Herbert Hoover;

-- Fred De Cordova - The producer of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" -- and butt of Carson's jokes -- for 22 years, and director of movies such as Ronald Reagan's "Bedtime for Bonzo"; and

-- Don Tennant - The advertising wizard who created Kellogg's Tony the Tiger and Philip Morris' Marlboro Man.

Widely regarded as the most thorough historical reference tool of its kind, Who Was Who in America provides biographical profiles of the nation's highest achievers, including world notables who have made significant contributions to the development of the U.S. Since each biographical entry is prepared, revised and approved by the biographees themselves -- or their relatives or legal representatives -- many of them include personal data unavailable from any other source. Each entry includes family relationships, political affiliations, key positions held, awards, published writings and other basic facts and vital statistics.

"Who Was Who in America preserves the lifetime accomplishments of many world history-makers, and this new volume contains detailed biographical information about individuals who lived incredibly accomplished lives and saw the turn of a new millennium," said Sandra Barnes, publisher of New Providence, N.J.-based Marquis Who's Who. "Extending a tradition of excellence in recording and publishing essential data, Who Was Who in America has proven its uniqueness and usefulness in countless research applications. This book is a wonderful tool for helping us all to pause and reflect on America's most inspirational people."

Who Was Who in America 2000-2002 is available now at an introductory price of $149.95, which also includes a newly revised index for this volume and all previous 13 editions of the series (1607-2002). In addition, there is a 10 percent discount for first-time standing orders, which allows customers to automatically receive all future editions at discounted prices. For more information, please call 800/473-7020.

The Marquis Who's Who books, which served as the origin of the social expression of a "who's who list" of individuals, have consistently profiled individuals of reference inquiry in the U.S. Since it was launched by Chicago newspaper publisher Albert Nelson Marquis in 1899, Who's Who in America(R) has provided key information about hundreds of thousands of leaders, decision-makers and innovators from every significant field of endeavor. Who's Who in America is the original and leading biographical reference volume, used by thousands of researchers, journalists, students, librarians and executive search firms every day.

In addition to Who Was Who in America, Marquis Who's Who also publishes Who's Who in the World(R), Who's Who of American Women(R), Who's Who in Finance and Industry(R), Who's Who in American Law(R), Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare(R), Who's Who in Science and Engineering(R) and several other titles, including a special keepsake edition, Who's Who in 20th Century America(TM). For more information, please go to www.marquiswhoswho.com.