Research Resources:
Subject Research Guides:
Literatures in English:
Literary Histories
Use to find information on a literary period or movement or to place a particular author or work in context. While recent histories are often the most helpful, because of up-to-date scholarship and sensitivity to current critical trends, older histories can provide valuable insights into the mindsets and canons of earlier periods.
Cambridge Histories Online.
A collection of 250 titles, including
The Cambridge History of American Literature,
The Cambridge History of Literary Criticism,
The Cambridge History of Medieval English Literature,
The Cambridge History of Irish Literature,
The Cambridge History of British Theatre,
The Cambridge History of American Theatre,
The Cambridge History of the Book in Great Britain, and other titles of interest for literary scholars.
Columbia History of the American Novel.
ALEXANDER REF PS 371.C7 1991.
(Also Dana & Kilmer)
Columbia History of American Poetry.
ALEXANDER REF PS 303.C64 1993.
(Also Dana & Robeson)
Columbia History of the British Novel.
ALEXANDER REF PR 821.C65 1994.
(Also Douglass & Robeson)
Columbia History of British Poetry.
ALEXANDER REF PR 502.C62 1994.
(Also Robeson)
Oxford History of English Literature.
An older multi-volume set, each volume written by a leading scholar in the field. Most of the volumes
are dated, but they remain highly readable and informative, though they should be supplemented by more
current sources. The older volumes will also be of interest as indicative of earlier critical
approaches. Alexander Library has just begun to acquire volumes in a brand new set that will supersede
this
one--The Oxford English Literary History.
Volumes so far include
1350-1547 : Reform and Cultural Revolution and
1830-1880 : the Victorians,
1910-1940: The Modern Movement;
1960-2000: The Last of England?;
1948-2000: The Internationalization of English Literature.
ALEXANDER REF PR 83.O9.
Oxford Literary History of Australia.
ALEXANDER REF PR 9604.3.O83 1998.
(Also Robeson)
