Research Resources:
Subject Research Guides:
Literatures in English:
Full-Text Reference Works and Collections
The Rutgers University computer network allows access,
either in any of the libraries or by remote access from home or office,
to an increasing number of electronic sources--including periodical indexes,
catalogs, the full texts of literary works, discussion groups, electronic journals, etc.
The following is a list of some of the more interesting and immediately relevant sources
for students in literature. Connect through the
Libraries Home Page ),
and click on "Not logged in" to log in.
American Women Writers: A Critical Reference Guide from Colonial Times to the Present [Rutgers Restricted]
An electronic version of the 4 volume resource containing "biographical and critical essays on 1,328 American women writers covering all genres and all periods of American history."
Cambridge History of English and American Literature: an Encyclopedia in Eighteen Volumes
Literary history and criticism with essay topics ranging from poetry, fiction, drama, and essays to history, theology, and political writing. Encompasses a wide selection of writing on orators, humorists, poets, newspaper columnists, religious leaders, economists, Native Americans, song writers, and even non-English writing, such as Yiddish and Creole.
Contemporary Authors [Rutgers Restricted]
Brief biographical and bibliographical information on more than 130,000 authors from the United
States and the rest of the world. While coverage is international, emphasis is given to the English-speaking world, with
more than half the authors from the United States.
Encyclopedia of American Poetry: the Nineteenth Century [Rutgers Restricted]
Part of the Literature Online database, the Encyclopedia provides biographical and critical information on almost 150 American poets, as well as topical essays on "Nineteenth-Century Versions of American Indian Poetry," "Popular Poetry," "Songs and Ballads," and "Spirituals."
Encyclopedia of Literature [Rutgers Restricted]
Part of Gale's Literature Resource Center, this site offers a searchable encyclopedia of authors; works; literary landmarks; literary and critical terms; mythological and folkloric figures; fictional characters; literary movements; prizes; etc.
Encyclopedia of the Novel [Rutgers Restricted]
Part of the Literature Online database, the Encyclopedia covers classic novels and great novel writers, types of novels, technical and formal aspects of novels, as well as criticism, theory, and influences.
International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers [Rutgers Restricted]
"Features thorough coverage of legendary films, actors, actresses, directors, writers, and other production artists through detailed essays and commentary by experts. Entries include biographies, filmographies, comprehensive credits, production information, major awards, and bibliographies." Electronic version of the 4 volume 4th edition of the print resource.
Literature Resource Center [Rutgers Restricted]
A full text electronic database that provides on line access to biographies, bibliographies,
and critical analysis of authors and their works from every age and literary discipline. Literature Resource Center covers
more than 124,000 novelists, poets, essayists, journalists and other writers, with in-depth coverage of 2,000 of the most
studied authors. Searchable fields include: Author Name, Title, Genre, Literary Movement, and Literary Themes. In addition,
users can access current, full text critical essays on major authors via the Literature Resource Center's link to more than
260 prominent literary journals. Also includes links to nearly 5000 web sites focusing on major authors and their works.
Aimed more at undergraduates, but still a useful site.
Middle English Compendium [Rutgers Restricted]
This invaluable resource for medievalists includes 3 parts: 1) the Middle
English Dictionary-an electronic version of the print MED; 2) a HyperBibliography of Middle English which
includes all the works which are cited in the Middle English Dictionary--probably the most comprehensive
single list of ME materials at present available in electronic form; 3) A Corpus of Middle English Prose
and Verse, a collection of about 60 texts.
New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics [Rutgers Restricted]
Part of the Literature Online database, the Encyclopedia is a comprehensive reference work dealing with all aspects of its subject: history, types, movements, prosody, and critical terminology.
Oxford English Dictionary [Rutgers Restricted]
The great historical dictionary of the English is now available online. The
OED Online is based on the second edition of the printed work and its three-volume Additions series, and
also incorporates draft material and revisions for the third edition (projected to be completed in 2010).
The online version allows searching of the entire text of the dictionary--that is, one can search not
merely for "head words" (the words being defined), but also for words used in definitions, etymologies,
and illustrative quotations. One can also search by the author of quotations (more than 29,000
Shakespeare quotations!), and search for full phrases.
Reference Guide to Short Fiction [Rutgers Restricted]
"Contains biographical and critical essays on 376 of the most important writers of short fiction writing in English worldwide, and 403 separate essays on selected works. Also includes some authors of note who did not write in English, but whose works have been widely translated and are often studied, such as Anton Chekhov and Jean-Paul Sartre. Most authors covered were born after 1750, but a few important figures from earlier periods are included as well." Electronic version of the 2nd edition of the print resource.
Routledge Encyclopedia of Post-Colonial Literatures in English [Rutgers Restricted]
Part of the Literature Online database, the Encyclopedia covers genres, major subjects, and critical biographies of writers, as well as entries on each country or region whose literatures are discussed.
UXL Graphic Novelists [Rutgers Restricted]
"Introduces researchers to the authors and illustrators behind these works, taking care to define and explore the distinction between comic books and graphic novels." Electronic version of the 3 volume print resource.
World Shakespeare Bibliography [Rutgers Restricted]
Contains annotated entries for books, articles, reviews, dissertations,
theatrical productions of Shakespeare's works and their reviews, internet resources and electronic media
from a broad period starting in 1972.
