Literature and Language: Reference Sources

Dictionary of Literary Biography

Writer career biographies, tracing the development of the author's canon and the evolution of his reputation.

Critical Survey of Poetry

An in-depth resource covering 845 poets throughout history and the world.

• American Poets
• British, Irish, and Commonwealth Poets
• European Poets
• World Poets
• Topical Essays

Critical Survey of Short Fiction

An in-depth resource covering 625 writers, and the history of short fiction from antiquity to the 21st century.

• American Writers
• British, Irish, and Commonwealth Writers
• European Writers
• World Writers
• Topical Essays

Critical Survey of Long Fiction

Offers 678 profiles of major writers of long fiction throughout history and the world, including analyses of their significant novels and novellas. 

Discusses the novel in overview essays by time period, country, ethnicity, and genre, and provides valuable resource material.

Oxford English Dictionary

Premier dictionary of the english language. Includes word meanings, history, etymological analysis.

Oxford African American Studies Center

A collection of reference works focusing on the lives and events which have shaped African American and African history and culture.