This abridged and updated edition of the acclaimed Oxford Companion to African American Literature presents more than 400 biographies of authors, critics, literary characters, and historical figures, and 150 plot summaries of major works.
Below are key reference books that provide a general overview of a topic or help identify synonyms, related terms, or basic data. These sources often include references and lists of further readings.
The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Eighteenth-Century Writers and Writing, 1660-1789 by 
Encyclopedia of Aesthetics by 
Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment by 
A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature by 
Dictionary of British Literary Characters by 
British Writers by 
British Writers. Retrospective Supplement I by British Writers. Retrospective Supplement II by British Writers. Retrospective Supplement III by 
The Oxford English Dictionary by 
A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles; Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by the Philological Society. by 
