English Encyclopedias
- Cambridge Companions Online This link opens in a new windowExcellent source for background material in a variety of subjects. There are three sub-collections: the Cambridge Companions in Literature and Classics; the Cambridge Companions in Philosophy, Religion and Culture; and the Cambridge Companions in Music.
Terms of use - Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism This link opens in a new windowCoverage: current. Presents a comprehensive survey of the most important figures, schools, and movements in literary theory and criticism.
Terms of use - Literature Online (LION) This link opens in a new windowCoverage: 1920–present. A library of works of English and American poetry, drama, and prose. Includes literature journals and other criticism and reference sources. Includes the Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature (ABELL).
Terms of use - Shakespeare Collection This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
Coverage: 16th century–present. A collection of authoritative materials including editions and adaptations of Shakespeare's works, other works published during Shakespeare's time, prompt books, the Gordon Crosse Theatrical Diaries, criticism, reviews, images, and reference.
Terms of use
- Encyclopedia of Contemporary LGBTQ Literature2009 ed. Contains hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries survey contemporary lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer American literature and its social contexts.
- American History through Literature 1820-18702006 ed. Presents literature as a historical and cultural field viewed from a wide array of contemporary perspectives, endorsing the notion that not only does history affect literature, but literature itself informs history.
- American History through Literature 1870-19202006 ed. Second volume, continuing coverage from American History through Literature 1820-1870.
- Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new windowCoverage: varies. Covers biographies, literary criticism, and journals in fields of literature, language, linguistics, and folklore for all modern languages. Includes Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literary Criticism, and the Dictionary of Literary Biography, along with many other resources.
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- Literature Suppressed on Religious GroundsProfiles the censorship of many religious works, including the frequently challenged Harry Potter series, which critics accuse of promoting witchcraft and anti-family themes.
- Literature Suppressed on Sexual GroundsText examines the issues underlying the suppression of more than 120 works deemed sexually obscene.
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature2006 ed. Documents and interprets the books read by children throughout the world. Includes brief biographies of every major author and illustrator as well as entries on all genres of children's literature, individual works, and prominent trends and themes.
- British and Irish Literature and Its Time: Celtic Migrations to the Reform Bill (Beginnings-1830s)2001 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from Great Britain and Ireland, from the Celtic migrations to the Reform Bill.
- British and Irish Literature and Its Times: The Victorian Era to the Present (1837-present)2001 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from Great Britain and Ireland, from the Victorian Era to the present.
Non-English Language Literature Encyclopedias
- African Literature and Its Times2000 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from Africa.
- Classical Literature and Its Times2006 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on classical literature. Thomson Gale.
- Italian Literature and Its Times2005 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from Italy.
- Latin American Literature and Its Times1999 edition, Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from Latin America.
- Middle Eastern Literatures and Their Times2004 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from the Middle East.
- Native American literatures: an encyclopedia of works, characters, authors, and themes1999 ed. The earliest Native American writers wrote tribal histories or autobiographical accounts. This encyclopedia covers the diverse range of Native American writers.
- Spanish and Portuguese Literatures and Their Times2002 ed. Examines the relationship between the political/social climate during which books were written and the works themselves. This volume focuses on major fiction, poetry and nonfiction from Spain and Portugal.