LibGuides: Literature in English: Reference Works

Reference Works

Dictionary of Literary Biography Complete Online
Search for biographical articles on the lives, works, and careers of literary figures from all eras and genres
Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory & Criticism
Search for entries on critics and theorists, critical schools and movements, and the critical and theoretical innovations of specific countries and historical periods
American National Biography Online
Search for biographical entries from all eras and walks of life, whose lives have shaped the nation
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Search for biographical articles of noteworthy people, no longer living, who lived or were connected with the British Isles
Columbia Granger's World of Poetry
Search across the full text of 250,000 poems and 450,000 citations. Locate poems by author, title, first line, last line, subject
Cambridge Companions
Search for background information from the Cambridge Companions on topics related to literature, classics, philosophy, religion, culture, and music
Cambridge Histories
Credo
Search for encyclopedia and dictionary entries on a wide range of topics
Oxford English Dictionary
Search etymology for every word in the English language

Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism
Brings together interdisciplinary content about the Modernist period. Content is fully cross-referenced and covers key subject areas of Literature, Architecture, Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Film, and Intellectual Currents. Users can browse search results by subject, movement, or place.

Literary Reference Center Plus
Find information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines.
Literature Resource Center
Find biographies, bibliographies, and critical analyses for authors.
Oxford Reference
Search encyclopedia and dictionary entries on wide range of academic disciplines

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Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE)
Search for definitions and information related to the regional aspects of the English language. Includes audio clips and quotations from the DARE Survey conducted 1965-1970