Concentrating on notable women in North America, Europe and the British Commonwealth in the last two centuries, but also containing entries for women from Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and China, this collection represents achievement in a variety of fields, not just philanthropy or other behaviors of the leisure classes. As a result the entries include activists who worked on both sides of the podium, scientists, suffragists, artists, writers, educators and academics, many of whom were not recognized in their own lifetimes. Also included are women with significant, if unheralded political influence, revolutionaries, publicists, and motivators of movements, businesswomen and poets. This version includes women who have come to prominence in the last five years and is the revised edition of The Northeastern Dictionary of Women's Biography , third edition, 1999. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)