Research by Subject: English Literature: Biographies

Electronic Biographies

Dictionary of Literary Biography (Gale Literature) This link opens in a new window
Dictionary of Literary Biography includes biographical and critical essays on the lives, works, and careers of the world's most influential literary figures from all eras and genres. Dictionary of Literary Biography is an invaluable source for tracing the development and evolution of an author's writing and reputation.The online collection is comprised of three series: Dictionary of Literary Biography, Dictionary of Literary Biography Documentary Series, and Dictionary of Literary Biography Yearbook.
Literature Online (LION) This link opens in a new window
English and American poetry, drama and prose, full text literature journals, and other key criticism, biographies, and reference resources.
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Contemporary Authors Online This link opens in a new window
Complete biographical and bibliographical information and references on U.S. and international authors
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Oxford Dictionary of National Biography This link opens in a new window
Offers concise, up-to-date biographies on worldwide historical and cultural figures, from the Romans to the 21st century written by specialist authors. Now includes biographies of 59,102 men and women who died in or before the year 2010.

British Writers [ PR85 .B688 Reference ] An eight-volume set with additional supplements that provides good overviews of important British authors.
The Oxford Guide to British Women Writers [ PR111 .S48 1993 Reference ] A one-volume, alphabetically arranged work covering over 400 women writers "from the medieval period to the present day." Each entry "offers a brief outline of the writer's life and career, her major publications, and the significant features of her work."
World Writers in English [ PR9080.5 .W67 2004 Reference ] This two-volume set examines "a wide range of creative writers from India and Asia, Australia and New Zealand, from Africa, from the Caribbean, Canada, and elsewhere."