The following reference sources will help you begin your research process. More specialized sources listed below may be consulted if additional information is needed on a topic.
Andrews, William L., Frances Smith Foster, and Trudier Harris, eds. The Oxford Companion to African American Literature. New York: Oxford University, 1997.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS 153 .N5 O96 1997)
This volume includes articles on "virtually every aspect of the history and development of the literature created by persons of African descent." In addition to short biographies of authors, plot summaries and sketches of major characters, it also provides essays on critical concepts and themes within African American literature.
DELCAT, the online catalog for the University of Delaware Library, may be used to find information about books in the library's collection. Books can be located in DELCAT in various ways, such as by author, title, or subject keywords. A keyword anywhere search in DELCAT, using significant words that pertain to your topic, may also retrieve appropriate materials, e.g. african american* and poetry. ("*" is used for truncation.)
An online database which contains references to scholarly and general interest periodicals published from 1980 to the present in a wide variety of disciplines. Also included are the full text of some articles.
In addition to providing literary criticism and reference sources, this site includes African American Poetry (1750-1900) and Twentieth Century African-American Poetry (1901-1998), two databases that provide the complete text of thousands of poems by African American authors.
This database provides biographical and bibliographical information
on authors and their works (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, history, and journalism). It also provides literary criticism and is supplemented with links to author-related Web sites. The Custom Search feature permits searching by genre, literary theme, literary period (e.g. Harlem Renaissance) and author's ethnicity (e.g. African American).
The MLA indexes critical materials on literature, language, linguistics, and folklore. It is available online and also in printed format. The online database begins coverage with 1963, whereas the printed version provides indexing from 1921.
Periodical and Newspaper Indexes
The following indexes may be used to identify articles pertaining to African American literature:
Black Literature, 1827-1940 Index on CD-ROM.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Microforms (CD-ROM 356)
A networked compact disc which provides references to more than 150,000 pieces of fiction, poetry, book reviews and literary notices published in 900 black periodicals and newspapers between 1827-1940. The full text of these items is available in the microfiche publication Black Literature, 1827-1940 (Fiche no. 2006), and may also be available in the general collections of the Morris Library.
An index which is devoted to African American newspapers. Newspapers included are: Afro-American, Amsterdam News, Argus, Call and Post, Chicago Defender, Daily World, Journal and Guide, Michigan Chronicle, Sentinel, and American Muslim Journal. Coverage is from 1977 to the present.
A comprehensive, full-text database of the newspapers, magazines, and journals of the ethnic press. It provides a rich collection of articles, editorials, and reviews with a broad diversity of perspectives often at
variance with the mainstream media. Coverage is from 1985 to the present.
Index to Black Periodicals.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref AI3 .I59)
An author, title and subject index to articles and book reviews by and about African Americans published in major black journals. Formerly entitled Index to Periodical Articles by and about Blacks. The index has been published since 1950.
Full-text coverage of 25 core Black Studies periodicals (1998 to the present), along with indexing and abstracting for over 150 scholarly and popular journals, newspapers, and newsletters from the United States, Africa and the Caribbean (1902 to the present).
A comprehensive database of biographical information on more than one million people from
throughout history, around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas. The database includes entries from the following directories, which are also available in print: Contemporary Black Biography, Notable Black American Men, Notable Black American Women, the St. James Guide to Black Artists, and Who's Who Among African Americans.
Hatch, Shari Dorantes, and Michael R. Strickland, eds. African-American Writers: A Dictionary. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 2000.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 A3444 2000)
This volume provides brief entries on a wide array of authors, titles and topics. The appendices include an index of writers by genre, a chronology of writers and a chronology of firsts.
This guide provides scholarly essays on 78 writers, including major authors as well as numerous lesser known authors. Each entry includes biographical, critical and bibliographic information.
Nelson, Emmanuel S. Contemporary African American Novelists: A Bio-Bibliographical Critical Sourcebook. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1999.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS374 .N4 C658 1999)
A sourcebook that provides biographical, critical and bibliographic information on 79 contemporary novelists, including major authors as well as some lesser known ones.
Roses, Lorraine Elena, and Ruth Elizabeth Randolph. Harlem Renaissance and Beyond: Literary Biographies of 100 Black Women Writers, 1900-1950. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1990.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 R65 1990)
Provides biographical sketches with select bibliographies of primary and secondary sources. The volume also includes listings of writers by genre, geographic location and date. A title index is also available.
Shockley, Ann Allen, ed. Afro-American Women Writers, 1746-1933: An Anthology and Critical Guide. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1988.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS508 .N3 A36 1988)
This guide provides a biographical sketch, a select bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and an excerpt of writing for each author. The overall arrangement of the volume is chronological, and there is a scholarly introduction to each historical period.
Smith, Valerie, ed. African American Writers. New York: Scribner's, 2001.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 A344 2001)
A collection of authoritative essays on African American authors writing in all genres. The essays include both biography and criticism and are supplemented with bibliographies of primary and secondary works. This work also provides essays on two literary genres, the slave narrative and the spiritual autobiography.
Plot Summaries
Magill, Frank N. Masterplots II. African American Literature Series. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem, 1994.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 M2645 1994)
This three-volume publication describes the principal characters, themes and meanings, and critical contexts of more than 400 literary works. Entries also contain bibliographical references. The volumes have author, title and genre indexes.
Bibliographies
Glikin, Ronda. Black American Women in Literature: A Bibliography, 1976-1987. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1989.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 .G54x 1989)
A bibliography of women publishing creative literature in books, anthologies and periodicals between 1976 and 1987. It includes references to both primary sources and critical studies, and has a genre index in addition to a general index.
Kallenbach, Jessamine S. Index to Black American Literary Anthologies. Boston: G.K. Hall, 1979.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1229 .N39 K34)
An index to literature published in more than 100 key anthologies of African American literature. Includes author and title indexes.
Richards, Phillip M., and Neil Schlager. Best Literature by and about Blacks. Detroit: Gale Group, 2000.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z 1229 .N39 R53 2000)
A guide to significant writers and works in African American literature and history. Each entry provides a synopsis of the work and also indicates awards it has received, if any.
Werner, Craig. Black American Women Novelists: An Annotated
Bibliography. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem, 1989.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 W47x 1989)
A bibliography of primary works, biographies, and literary criticism.
Children's Literature
Murphy, Barbara Thrash. Black Authors and Illustrators of Books for Children and Young Adults: A Biographical Dictionary. 3rd ed. New York: Garland, 1999.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PN1009 .A1 M87x 1999 )
This dictionary provides biographical sketches, with brief bibliographies, for more than 250 black authors and illustrators living and working throughout the world. It also includes a title index and a listing of award and honor books.
Smith, Henrietta M., ed. The Coretta Scott King Awards, 1970-2004. 3rd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1037 .A2 C67 2004)
The volume includes descriptions of books which have received the Coretta Scott King Award, an award currently given to "African-American authors and illustrators whose distinguished books promote an understanding and appreciation of the culture and contributions of all people to the realization of the American Dream." Both winner books and honor books from 1970 to 2004 are included. Brief biographical sketches of the authors and illustrators are also included.
Williams, Helen E. Books by African-American Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults. Chicago: American Library Association, 1991.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PN1009 .A1 W55x 1991)
An annotated bibliography of books which are grouped according to scholastic level (very young children, intermediate readers, and young adults). There is also a separate section for black illustrators and their works. Each entry includes a brief summary of the work and a listing of prizes or awards it has received. The volume also includes a general index, as well as an awards and prize appendix.
Drama
Gavin, Christy, ed. African American Women Playwrights: A Research Guide. New York: Garland, 1999.
LOCATION: Morris Library- Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 G29 1999)
This guide provides the following information on ten playwrights: brief biographies, listing of plays, production information, and the plot summaries of major plays.
Peterson, Jr., Bernard L. A Century of Musicals in Black and White: An Encyclopedia of Musical Stage Works by, about, or involving African Americans. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1993.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (ML102 .M88 P37 1993)
A dictionary that provides brief descriptions of shows that include contributions from black librettists, lyricists, composers, performers or other theatre artists. The volume includes a chronology of works, as well as a song, name and general index.
Peterson, Jr., Bernard L. Contemporary Black American Playwrights and Their Plays: A Biographical Directory and Dramatic Index. New York: Greenwood, 1988.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 P43 1988)
Provides entries on 700 contemporary black Americans and U. S. residents who are screenwriters, radio or television scriptwriters, or originators of dramatic works. Entries include a brief biographical sketch, and a listing of writings and productions. A brief synopsis of a work is often provided. The volume also includes a title index.
Peterson, Jr., Bernard L. Early Black American Playwrights and Dramatic Writers: A Biographical Directory and Catalog of Plays, Films, and Broadcasting Scripts. New York: Greenwood, 1990.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 P44 1990)
Similar in format to Peterson's Contemporary Black American Playwrights..., this volume provides entries on 218 playwrights from the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. Also included is a chronology, a title index, and an index of theatre organizations and producing groups.
Williams, Dana A. Contemporary African American Female Playwrights: An Annotated Bibliography. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1998.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Z 1229 .N39 W55 1998)
A comprehensive annotated bilibliography of the primary and secondary works of African American playwrights.
Poetry
Chapman, Dorothy Hilton. Index to Poetry by Black American Women. New York: Greenwood, 1986.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS 153 .N5 I52x 1986)
An index to 120 books by individual women poets and to 83 anthologies of African American poetry. The volume provides author, title, first line, and subject indexes.
Frankovich, Nicholas, and David Larzelere, ed. The Columbia Granger's Index to African-American Poetry. New York: Columbia University, 1999.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS153 .N5 C65x 1999)
This volume provides access to the authors, titles, subjects, first lines and last lines of almost 8,000 poems published by African American authors.
This work provides lengthy essays that include biographical information on each poet and discuss the major themes of the poet's work. Also included is a biography of each poet's major works, as well as suggested readings for further study.
Short Fiction
Yancy, Preston M. Afro-American Short Story: A Comprehensive Annotated Index with Selected Commentaries. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1986.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref Z1229 .N39 Y36 1986)
An index to more than 850 short stories published by approximately 300 authors between 1950 and 1982. The volume categorizes and provides commentaries on many of the stories indexed. Author and title indexes are included.
Speeches
Foner, Philip S., and Robert J. Branham, ed. Lift Every Voice: African American Oratory, 1787-1900. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama, 1998.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref E185.18 .L54 1998)
A collection of historically significant speeches by African American orators.
Leeman, Richard W. African-American Orators: A Bio-Critical
Sourcebook. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood, 1996.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref E185.96 .A447 1996)
This volume provides biographical sketches of African American speech writers and bibliographies of their speeches. Also included is an index.
Straub, Deborah Gillan. Voices of Multicultural America: Notable Speeches Delivered by African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans, 1790-1995. Detroit: Gale Research, 1996.
LOCATION: Morris Library - Reference (Ref PS663 .M55 V64 1996)
A collection of speeches published in their entirety. Each entry includes a biographical sketch of the speechmaker, the text of the speech, and a listing of related sources.
