"Who's Who" is a leading source of biographical data on more than 33,000 influential people from around the world. Published annually since 1849, and as of 2015 in its 168th edition, it lists people who influence British life, according to its editors. Entries include judges, civil servants, politicians and notable figures from academia, sport and the arts. Each entry in Who's Who is authored by the subject who is invited by the editors to fill in a questionnaire. Entries typically include full names, dates of birth, career details, club memberships, education, professional qualifications, publications, recreations and contact details.

When someone dies, her or his biography is transferred to the volumes of "Who Was Who", where it is usually printed as it appeared in the last "Who's Who", appended with the date of death.The first volume of "Who Was Who" covered deaths between 1897 and 1915; they were then published at 10-year intervals, and since 1990 at five-year intervals.

Originally, it merely provided lists of the names of notable people, for example all members of parliament and all bishops. Beginning with the 1897 edition, it listed people alphabetically and provided fuller biographical details. A full online edition of the work was launched in 2005. However, it continues to be published annually in hard copy.

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