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Introduction

This is a guide to selected sources of information related to English literature available at URI. Use the Tabs above to navigate through this guide.

To find additional information, conduct a Subject search in the HELIN Catalog using subject headings such as ENGLISH LITERATURE. Subheadings such as 19th CENTURY or DICTIONARIES will narrow the search. (Example: English Literature 19th Century History and Criticism.) A Subject search on individual authors will bring up material on that author. (Example: Shakespeare, William.)

Getting Started

American Literary Scholarship

Call Number: Ref PS3 A47

(Annual 1963-1996)
Continued Online
1998-2007 http://0-muse.jhu.edu.helin.uri.edu/journals/american_literary_scholarship/
2000-present http://0-als.dukejournals.org.helin.uri.edu/archive/

Annual review of literary criticism presented in scholarly essays. Organized by major authors and genres/time periods. Includes author and subject indexes. Additional years available online; see title entry in HELIN catalog.

The Humanities: A Selective Guide to Information Sources. - Blazek, Ron and Elizabeth Aversa

Call Number: Z6265 B53 1994

Lists reference works in the humanities including American literature.

Literary research guide: an annotated listing of reference sources in English literary studies - Harner, James L

Call Number: Ref. Z2011 H34 2002

“Selective, annotated guide to reference sources essential to the study of British literature, literature of the United States, other literatures in English, and related topics.” Contains descriptions of other reference works.

Handbook of Literary Research - Miller, R. H.

Call Number: Ref. PR56 M54 1995

Explores strategies and resources to be used in researching English and American literature.

General Works

Cyclopedia of literary characters

Call Number: Ref. PN44 M3 1998

Descriptions of over twenty thousand characters from 3,300 novels, plays, epics and other classic literature. Arranged alphabetically by title of the work. Includes author, title and character indexes.
5 vols.

Cyclopedia of world authors - Magill, Frank N. ed.

Call Number: Ref. PN451 M36 1997

Biographical sketches of over 2,000 authors worldwide from earliest times to the present. Each entry includes a list of the author's works and a bibliography of sources for further study.
5 vols.

Encyclopedia of world literature in the 20th century - Serafin, Steven R., ed.

Call Number: Ref. PN771 E5 1999

This 4-volume encyclopedia provides international coverage including articles on national literatures, and biographical/critical articles. Includes bibliographies for authors and an index to the entire set.

World authors, 1900-1950 - Seymour-Smith, Martin and Andrew C. Kimmens, eds.

Call Number: Ref PN451 .W674 1996

Biographical sketches of writers who came into prominence in the first half of the 20th century. Entries include lists of works by and about each author.
4 vols.