Printer Friendly VersionFactFinder: Resources for identifying the social, historical, and cultural contexts of literature.
Use the following types of sources to locate biographical and factual information that will enrich your understanding of literature. If these sources don't answer your question, ask a Reference Librarian for further recommendations.
Grendler, Paul F., ed. Encyclopedia of the Renaissance. 6 vols. New York: Scribner's, 1999. [Ref CB361 .E52 1999]
This six volume set is a portal into the cultural and social history of the Renaissance. Entries on various topics, such as art, literature, music, government, and historical figures are signed and include bibliographies. A chronology and the many illustrations put the final touches on a splendid reference source.
Wagner, John A. Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World: Britain, Ireland, Europe, and America. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1999. [Ref DA357 .W34 1999]
An excellent source for descriptions and definitions of people, events, ideas and terms relating in a significant way to the Elizabethan period of British history.
Mitchell, Sally, ed. Victorian Britain. New York: Garland, 1988. [Ref DA550 .V53 1988]
This one volume encyclopedia is a thorough resource for background information on the social and cultural history of Victorian Britain. Essay topics range from factories to fashion, women to work. Essays are signed and include bibliographies for further research.
Appiah, Kwame Anthony, and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., eds. Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. 2nd ed. 5 vols. Oxford; New York: Oxford UP, 2005. [Ref DT14 .A37435 2005]
This scholarly encyclopedia includes biographical information on major literary figures as well as historical information on countries, languages, music, and art.
Tompkins, Vincent, ed. American Decades. 10 vols. Detroit: Gale, 1994-1996. [Ref E169.12 .A419 1994 and Online]
This complex set covers American history by decade, providing yearly accounts of architecture, economics, education, fashion, and topics in the news. American Decades covers 1900 to 1989. Volume 10 is available online only. For earlier years, see the set American Eras (1600 to 1899) at Ref E169.1 .A471979.
Moss, Joyce, and George Wilson, eds. Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them. 5 vols. Detroit: Gale, 1997. [Ref PN50 .L574 1997]
This five volume set provides thoughtful entries on selected pieces of literature. Essays include discussion on events in history at the time the work takes place as well as information on events in history happening at the time the work was written.
This bibliography was originally created by Lynn Cameron and Rebecca Feind. Last Updated Spring 2007.
Questions? Contact the library reference desk.
