British Literature
Getting Started
If you are not sure what your topic is about, try one or more of the following:
Journal Articles
For recent information, journal articles are often the best sources. Looking through individual journals in the hope of finding relevant material is time-consuming. It is better to use the databases to find articles on your topic.
Key databases
MLA International Bibliography
Bibliography Indexes critical materials on modern language, literature, linguistics and folklore
Use The Shakespeare Collection to access and study an extensive collection of authoritative materials supporting literary, textual, historical, and performance studies. Resources include the most recent Arden Shakespeare editions of the complete works, as well as 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.
Annual bibliography of English language and literature
Worldwide articles, editions, literary works, collections and reviews
Among the thousands of titles featured in EEBO are works by Malory, Bacon, More, Erasmus, Boyle, Newton, Galileo; musical exercises by Henry Purcell and novels by Aphra Behn; prayer books, pamphlets, and proclamations; almanacs, calendars, and many other primary sources
Fully searchable library of over 300,000 works of English and American poetry, drama, and prose, plus biographies, bibliographies and key secondary sources
Other databases
Eighteenth century collections online (ECCO)
A comprehensive digital edition of The Eighteenth Century microfilm set, which has aimed to include every significant English-language and foreign-language title printed in the United Kingdom, and other works from the Americas, between 1701 and 1800. The library has access to both ECCO and ECCO 2.
A comprehensive online guide to book reviews that includes review citations from thousands of publications, with linking to full-text reviews
Victorian studies bibliography
This database lists noteworthy publications (including articles, books, and reviews) that have a bearing on the Victorian period. The Bibliography annually indexes over 400 journals, representing scholarship in a range of disciplines
19th century British Library newspapers
19th Century British Library Newspapers Parts I and II contain full runs of influential national and regional newspapers representing different political and cultural segments of 19th century British society
Specialised Resources
For some topics you will need to consult specialist information sources.
The Nineteenth Century, General Collection - Fryer Library special collection
Web Sites
Victoria Research Web - Research in Victorian fiction
Luminarium - Anthology of English Literature including Medieval, Renaissance, 17th Century, and Restoration literature
Victorian British Literary Resources
Twentieth-Century British, Irish, and Commonwealth Literary Resources
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