Who's Who in America is a biographical dictionary published by Marquis Who's Who (also known as A.N. Marquis Company), an American publisher founded in 1898 by Albert Nelson Marquis. The first edition appeared in 1899 and included concise biographies of over 8,500 distinguished Americans

. The publication aims to profile leaders and influential individuals in American society, listing career and personal data such as birth details, education, writings, civic activities, awards, and more. Selection is based on notable achievements and societal value, not on wealth or social position, and involves a review by an editorial team of about 70 researchers

. The entries are mostly self-reported and verified by the editors. Over time, the series has expanded to include various editions such as Who's Who in American Women , Who's Who in Science and Engineering , and Who's Who in the World. It is widely used as a reference in libraries, universities, and research institutions

. Despite its reputation as an authoritative source, the publication has faced criticism for occasional inclusion of underqualified individuals and reliance on self-reported information, which can sometimes be embellished

. In summary, Who's Who in America is a long-established, selective biographical reference work documenting notable living Americans who have made significant contributions in their fields