American Biographical Institute
Encyclopedia
The American Biographical Institute (ABI) is a paid-inclusion biographical reference directory publisher based in Raleigh, North Carolina
which has been publishing biographies since 1967. It generates revenue
from sales of certificates and books.
Its awards are frequently denounced as scams
by politicians, journalists, and others.
On its website, the publisher describes itself as "one of the world’s leading biographical reference publishers and authorities on global contemporary achievement" and claims that "inclusion in an ABI reference title is based on personal achievement alone and is not available for purchase." The ABI shares an address and P.O. box with the United Cultural Convention, another purveyor of for-profit awards.
The President of the ABI, Janet M. Evans, also runs another vanity press
, Pentland Press (d/b/a Ivy House Publishing Group).
of a yearly World Forum, (previously the International Congress on Arts and Communications) which invites a group for a week of professional seminars, artistic displays and performances, and culture sharing. Host cities over the 31 yearly meetings have included: New York; Washington D.C.; New Orleans; San Francisco; Edinburgh; Cambridge, UK; Nairobi; Madrid; Lisbon; Cambridge, Mass. USA; Oxford, UK.; Singapore; and Sydney. The Maitre Artiste of Ethiopia, Afewerk Tekle
is a regular attendee. No proceedings of these forums are produced except from the ABI which includes these in a newsletter.
In 2007, referring to the International Biographical Centre, the American Bibliographical Institute and Marquis Who's Who
, Jan Margosian, consumer information coordinator for the Oregon Department of Justice, warned consumers to be wary and called the companies "pretty tacky", adding "I don't know why they would put you in there if they weren't hoping to get you to buy the book.. "You truly have to look at how they are marketing and what the spin is. It's something you might want to watch out for."
195 and $495, payable by the recipient, depending on their level of prestige and the quality of the printing on the certificate and the material in the frame or mount. In 2005 the Institute awarded 200 "Man of the Year" awards at between $195 and $295 each.
The ABI does not provide a consolidated list of all the awards, medals, diplomas and certificates it issues, but the titles of the honors may be identified through the recipients' use of them in their résumé
s.
The awards and titles issued by the American Biographical Institute include:
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
which has been publishing biographies since 1967. It generates revenue
Revenue
In business, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, revenue is referred to as turnover....
from sales of certificates and books.
Its awards are frequently denounced as scams
Confidence trick
A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is an individual working alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility,...
by politicians, journalists, and others.
Operations
The ABI invites individuals to purchase various honors as a commemorative in their inclusion for a specific biography. Such honors include "International Man of the Year," "Most Admired Man of the Decade" or "Outstanding Man of the 21st Century" (see list below), or to be included in ABI publications, such as 500 Leaders of Science or The World Book of Knowledge, in exchange for a contribution fee. Those who accept, who sometimes write their own biographies, are offered books or certificates at prices as high as US $795.On its website, the publisher describes itself as "one of the world’s leading biographical reference publishers and authorities on global contemporary achievement" and claims that "inclusion in an ABI reference title is based on personal achievement alone and is not available for purchase." The ABI shares an address and P.O. box with the United Cultural Convention, another purveyor of for-profit awards.
The President of the ABI, Janet M. Evans, also runs another vanity press
Vanity press
A vanity press or vanity publisher is a term describing a publishing house that publishes books at the author's expense. Publisher Johnathon Clifford claims to have coined the term in 1959. However, the term appears in mainstream U.S...
, Pentland Press (d/b/a Ivy House Publishing Group).
World Forum
The ABI is also the co-host with the International Biographical CentreInternational Biographical Centre
The International Biographical Centre is a publisher owned by Melrose Press Ltd that specializes in producing biographical publications, such as the Dictionary of International Biography and other awards. It is based in Ely, Cambridgeshire in the United Kingdom...
of a yearly World Forum, (previously the International Congress on Arts and Communications) which invites a group for a week of professional seminars, artistic displays and performances, and culture sharing. Host cities over the 31 yearly meetings have included: New York; Washington D.C.; New Orleans; San Francisco; Edinburgh; Cambridge, UK; Nairobi; Madrid; Lisbon; Cambridge, Mass. USA; Oxford, UK.; Singapore; and Sydney. The Maitre Artiste of Ethiopia, Afewerk Tekle
Afewerk Tekle
Afewerk Tekle is one of Ethiopia's most celebrated artists, particularly known for his paintings on African and Christian themes as well as his stained glass....
is a regular attendee. No proceedings of these forums are produced except from the ABI which includes these in a newsletter.
In 2007, referring to the International Biographical Centre, the American Bibliographical Institute and Marquis Who's Who
Marquis Who's Who
Marquis Who's Who, a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc., is the American publisher of a number of directories containing short biographies...
, Jan Margosian, consumer information coordinator for the Oregon Department of Justice, warned consumers to be wary and called the companies "pretty tacky", adding "I don't know why they would put you in there if they weren't hoping to get you to buy the book.. "You truly have to look at how they are marketing and what the spin is. It's something you might want to watch out for."
Awards and titles
New awards are continually created and marketed. Most awards are available for between US $United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
195 and $495, payable by the recipient, depending on their level of prestige and the quality of the printing on the certificate and the material in the frame or mount. In 2005 the Institute awarded 200 "Man of the Year" awards at between $195 and $295 each.
The ABI does not provide a consolidated list of all the awards, medals, diplomas and certificates it issues, but the titles of the honors may be identified through the recipients' use of them in their résumé
Résumé
A résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons but most often to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education...
s.
The awards and titles issued by the American Biographical Institute include:
- 2010 Man of the year in finance
- Albert Einstein Award of Excellence
- Ambassador of Grand Eminence
- American Hall of Fame
- American Medal of Honor
- American Order of Excellence Medal
- Commemorative Medal of Honor
- Community Leader of America
- Congressional Medal of Excellence
- Contemporary Elite
- Continental Governor for the United States of America
- Deputy Governor of the American Biographical Institute Research Association
- Distinguished Leadership Award
- Distinguished Young Leadership Award
- Einsteinian Chair of Science
- Gold Record of Achievement
- Genius Laureate of the United States
- Great Minds of the 21st Century Award
- Great Women of the 21st Century Award
- International Cultural Diploma of Honor
- International Man of the Year
- International Medal of Vision
- International Peace Prize
- Key Award
- Legion of Honor
- Man of Achievement
- Man of science
- Man of the Year
- Master Diploma with honors
- Medical Science Award of Excellence
- Member of the World Institute of Achievement
- Most Admired Man of the Decade
- One of the Genius Elite
- Order of International Ambassadors & Deputy Governor
- Outstanding Man of the 20th Century
- Outstanding Man of the 21st Century
- Woman of Achievement
- Woman of the Year
- Woman of the Year in Medicine & Healthcare
- World Laureate of Norway
- World Lifetime Achievement Award
- World Medal of Freedom
- 25 Year Achievement Award
Government leaders with ABI awards
- President of Gambia, Yahya JammehYahya JammehAlhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh is the President of The Gambia...
- Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir BhuttoBenazir BhuttoBenazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
- Chief Minister of SikkimSikkimSikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
, Dr Pawan ChamlingPawan Kumar ChamlingPawan Kumar Chamling is the fifth chief minister of the Indian state of Sikkim. Chamling is the founder president of the Sikkim Democratic Front party, which has governed Sikkim for four successive terms since 1994, winning the 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009 state assembly elections.-Personal... - Turkish Political party leader/academician, Prof Dr. Haydar Bas.
External links
- Company homepage — First-hand account that exposes fraudulent who’s who publishers