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Department Publications

These are the latest publications from faculty members in this department.

Introduction

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

To find additional information, conduct a Subject search in the catalog using subject headings such as AMERICAN LITERATURE. Subheadings such as 19th CENTURY or DICTIONARIES will narrow the search. (Example: AMERICAN LITERATURE 19th CENTURY HISTORY and CRITICISM; or AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS 20th CENTURY.) A Subject search on individual authors will bring up material on that author. (Example: HEMINGWAY, ERNEST.)

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Getting Started

American Literary Scholarship
Call Number: URI Ref PS3 A47

(Annual 1963-1996)
Continued Online (see below)

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.
American Literary Scholarship (Online)
1998- . Available through Project Muse
2000- . Available through Highwire Press e-Duke Journals Scholarly Expanded Collection
Handbook of Literary Research by R. H. Miller
Call Number: URI Ref. PR56 M54 1995
ISBN: 0810829770
Publication Date: 1995

Explores strategies and resources to be used in researching English and American literature.
The Humanities by Ronald Blazek; Elizabeth S. Aversa
Call Number: Z6265 B53 1994
ISBN: 1563081687
Publication Date: 1994

Lists reference works in the humanities including American literature.
Literary Research Guide by James L. Harner
Call Number: URI Ref. Z2011 H34 2002
ISBN: 0873529839
Publication Date: 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.

General Works

Cyclopedia of Literary Characters by Frank N. Magill (Editor); A. J. Sobczak (Editor); Janet Alice Long (Editorial Coordinator); Salem Press Editors (Editor)
Call Number: URI Ref PN44 M3 1998
ISBN: 0893564389
Publication Date: 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 by Frank N. Magill (Editor); Tracy Irons-Georges (Editor)
Call Number: URI Ref PN451 M36 2004
ISBN: 158765122X
Publication Date: 2003

Biographical sketches of over 2,400 authors from earliest times to the present. Each entry includes a list of the author's works and a bibliography of sources for further study. The entries also identify each author's nationality, ethnicity, and primary genre.
5 vols.
Encyclopedia of World Literature in the 20th Century by Steven R. Serafin (Editor)
Call Number: URI Ref PN771 E5 1999
ISBN: 1558623736

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 by Martin Seymour-Smith (Editor); Andrew C. Kimmens (Editor)
Call Number: URI Ref PN451 .W674 1996
ISBN: 0824208994

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.