Source Types on this Page
Use reference sources to define or narrow a research topic, place it in context, or clarify a point of confusion. Reference books often provide lists of books and articles for further reading in sections titled Suggested Reading, Further Reading, Sources, or Bibliography.
Bibliographies & Other Tools
- Reader's Guide to British HistoryA guide to the best secondary literature on all constituent parts of the British Isles. Each topical entry lists secondary works; the entry then discusses each of these works in relations to one another and in historiographical context.
The American Historical Association's Guide to Historical LiteratureAlthough dated, an excellent starting place for world history. Arranged in 48 topical sections, contains extensive bibliographies, mostly covering English-language publications published between 1961 and 1992. Each bibliographic section is preceded by a short historiographical essay that provides an overview of trends in scholarship.
- Bibliography of British HistoryThis excellent, though dated, series was produced under the direction of the American Historical Association and the Royal Historical Society of Great Britain. Includes both primary and secondary works. Entries from the printed works have been incorporated into the online Bibliography of British and Irish History. Volumes include:
*Eighteenth Century, 1714–1789
*Eighteenth Century, 1789–185 - Bibliography of Imperial, Colonial, and Commonwealth History Since 1600Covering the history of Britain, Ireland, and the British overseas.
- Measuring WorthTools to aid in comparing the worth of wages, goods, etc., for the US since 1774, the UK since 1270, and Australia since 1828. Excellent essays and examples.
- Oxford Bibliographies Online - Atlantic History This link opens in a new windowA bibliography of important works relating to the historical connections among Europe, North America, South America and Africa, focusing on the early modern and colonial periods.
Reference Books
A Companion to Eighteenth-Century BritainIn signed essays by scholars, this online volume addresses key social and economic developments that made Britain a great world power.
A Dictionary of British Place-NamesTraces the development of 17,000 place-names from earliest times to the present day.
Europe, 1450-1789Helpful chronology in vol. 1. Illustrated, with bibliographies, and extensive index in vol. 6.
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online This link opens in a new windowBiographies of 55,000 deceased men and women who shaped all aspects of the British past from the earliest times and all walks of life.
Reference Collections
- Cambridge Histories Online This link opens in a new windowReference resource covering fifteen subject areas across the humanities and social sciences, with a concentration on political and cultural history, literature, philosophy, religious studies, music and the arts.