Trexler Library Study Guide BIO-BIBLIOGRAPHICAL AND BIO-CRITICAL RESOURCES BIO-BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RESOURCES Bio-bibliographies are collections of essays which provide introductions to the lives and careers of significant writers, list their writings, and, in some instances, also include critical analyses of their works. Excellent biographical sketches of well-known authors can be found in the Dictionary of National Biography (REF DA 28 .D56), for British authors, and the Dictionary of American Biography (REF E 176 .D562). These works are limited to authors no longer living. Scribner Series The bio-bibliographical essays in this series provide some of the best introductions to significant authors of all periods. Each essay presents both biographical information and critical evaluations of the author and the author’s works. An extensive bibliography of works both by and about the author is included. Supplements contain essays on newer authors as well as older authors not appearing in the original set. American Writers British Writers European Writers REF PS 129 .A55 REF PR 85 .B688 REF PN 450 .E9 The Wilson Series The Wilson Series forms one of the most comprehensive collections of biographical sketches of writers. For each author it provides a portrait, pronunciation of the author’s name, and a one to two page biographical sketch (including some critical evaluation) of the author’s career and works. Each volume deals with a particular country and time period. American Authors 1600-1900 REF PS 21 .K8 British Authors Before 1800 REF PR 105 .K9 Critical Survey of Poetry. Foreign Language Series REF PN 41 .C7 Critical Survey of Long Fiction. English Language Series REF PR.821.C7 Critical Survey of Drama. English Language Series REF PR 625 .C74 Critical Survey of Drama. Foreign Language Series REF PN 1625 .C74 Additional bio-bibliographies British Authors of the 19th Century REF PR 451 .K8 European Authors 1000-1900 REF PN 450 .K8 Twentieth Century Authors World Authors - 1950-1970 World Authors - 1970-1975 World Authors - 1975-1980 World Authors - 1980-1985 Critical Survey of Poetry. English Language Series REF PR 502 .C85 REF PN 451 .W3 REF PN 451 .W3 REF PN 451 .W67 REF PN 451 .W672 REF PN 451 .W672 Magill Series Each set in this series is devoted to a particular genre. Entries consist of a critical overview of a writer’s principal works and technical achievements, a biography, and a brief list of critical studies. Covers both foreign and American writers of all periods. The last volume in each set contains longer essays dealing with various aspects of a particular genre such as its history and development, as well as essays on the poetry, fiction, or drama, of particular countries and periods. Modern American Women Writers REF PS 151 .M54 Similar to American Writers (Scribner Series) in arrangement. Provides “essays on representative women writers who have published in the United States since the 1870’s, “ a number of whom are still active today. This work is complemented by the following: American Women Writers REF PS 147 .A4 Contains essays (mostly biographical, but with some critical comment) on famous and not so famous women writers from all periods of American history, including many who are currently publishing. Contemporary Authors Although, in some instances, this work provides only brief biographical information on the writers it treats, its scope is broad, including both United States and foreign authors. In addition to literary writers, it also covers journalists, scriptwriters, and general nonfiction writers from such fields as science, philosophy, education, and politics. A good source for information about new and/or little known authors and what they wrote. New volumes are regularly added to the set, keeping the information on all authors current. Consult the index volume to find a particular author. BIO-CRITICAL RESOURCES Works of bio-criticism provide brief biographical information on the lives of individual authors together with excerpts from books and periodicals which offer critical analyses of both an author's career and his/her individual writings. These excerpts are accompanied by exact references to sources, which makes works of biocriticism serve as annotated indexes to literary criticism. Another valuable feature of these works is that they often contain criticism taken from publications not found in our library, nor readily available from nearby libraries. Library of Literary Criticism Series Library of Literary Criticism REF PR 83 .M73 Covers English and American literature from 680 to 1904. Presents excerpts from critical appraisals published in books and periodicals through 1904. In addition to criticism of individual works there is also general criticism on each author’s career as well as quotes from personal observations on the author's lives. An index of authors is in volume 8. The Critical Temper REF PR 83 .C764 Supplements the above work by providing excerpts from critical studies published up to 1987 on major 19th century British and American authors. Note that volumes 4 and 5 are supplements and should be consulted in conjunction with the basic three volumes. The Gale Information Library Guide Series The books in this series both complement and supplement the Library of Literary Criticism, covering American, British, and Continental authors who lived in the 19th or 20th centuries. For each author treated, it presents a comprehensive survey of his/her career, a list of works, plus excerpts (usually well-chosen) from critical works, which provide comment on the author's career and writings. The excerpts are taken from 19th and 20th century publications. The number of excerpts for each author is usually quite extensive and, since they are arranged in chronological order, it enables one to trace the high points and low points in writers’ careers, their popularity, and their favor or disfavor among the critics. Another strength of this series is that it presents criticism of lesser known writers - criticism not easy to locate. There is a separately published index which covers all volumes in the series. To view a specifice volume, type in the title, The Gale Information Guide Library which will bring up the entries for this series. Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism REF PN 761 .N5 Every fourth volume is devoted to literary topics such as literary movements, literatures of foreign cultures, and literary reactions to political-historical events. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism REF PN 771 .G27 Limited to authors who died between 1900 to 1960. Like the above work, every fourth volume is devoted to literary topics. Contemporary Literary Criticism REF PN 771 .C59 Treats authors who are still writing and publishing today, and also those who have died since 1960, the cut-off date for Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Contains no bibliographies, for which the reader must consult Contemporary Authors. S.G. #14 - 7/01