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Poetry
Poetry Indexes
(Find where a poem has been published or poems on a specific topic.)
- Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry in Anthologies
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.K35
- Indexes poems that have been published in anthologies, and provides an index for title, first line, last line, author, and subject. Most current edition indexes published work through 2001.(most recent edition in "Ready Reference" near desk).
- Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry in Collected and Selected Works
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.C63 1996
- This volume indexes poems appearing in single-author collected/selected editions by major poets. Indexing for title, first line, author, and subject.
- Columbia Granger's Dictionary of Poetry Quotations
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN6082.C57 1992
- If you remember a specific quote or keyword from a poem, or want to browse memorable stanzas from specific poets, this work can help. Quotations come from anthologized poems, and are arranged by author. Use the keyword and subject index in the back for more specific searching.
- Poem Finder on Disc [CD-ROM]
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, "BOSTON" computer terminal only
- This database is a searchable and updated version of Poetry Index Annual, and covers poems published in anthologies for the years 1992-1995. Searching can be done for title, first line, last line, book/periodical title, keyword, poem date, and more. Handout on how to use CD-ROM available from nearby HSSGIS kiosk.
- Poetry Index Annual: A Title, Author, and Subject Index to Poetry in Anthologies
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.P63 1982
- Indexes years 1982-1993, then continued by Poem Finder CD-ROM (see above). Each year is cumulative for anthologies published the year before. You may need to search several volumes to find a specific poem.
- Last Lines: An Index to the Last Lines of Poetry
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.K55 1991
- Two-volume set covering over 170,000 poems published in anthologies between 1900 and 1987 (though the date range of the actual poetry goes back much further). Covers English language and translations. Indexes last line, title, author, and keyword.
- Index of American Periodical Verse
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, Z1231.P7I47
- Indexes poems appearing in magazines or journals from 1971-present. Focus is on North America, but also includes Caribbean and other world regions (esp. translated poetry). Annual cumulation.
- Chicorel Index to Poetry in Anthologies and Collections
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.C54
- Index to poems in anthologies, published in mid-1970s. Volume 5 series features anthologies in print at the time, and volume 6 includes retrospective works going back further. This works best for more established authors in British & American literature, but it also includes other Anglophone countries.
- American Poetry Index: A Title, Author, and First Line Index to Poetry in Single-Author Collections
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PS586.8.A45
- Annual cumulative indexing for poetry in collections by one author. Works well as a supplement to Grainger's Index to Poetry in Collected and Selected Works. Covers 1981-1986; see also Roth's American Poetry Annual (HSSGIS Reference / PS580.R68) for 1988-1990, which also includes full-text poetry surveys of major works.
- Master Index to Poetry: An Index to Poetry in Anthologies & Collections
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.M37 1988
- This index to authors, titles, first lines, and translators covers English-language poetry that has been reproduced on microfiche. The anthologies indexed may also be available in print at the Library. This source can be helpful for finding 1st edition publications of a poem.
- Hoffman's Index to Poetry: European and Latin American Poetry in Anthologies
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.H627 1985
- This volume covers non-English poetry in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian, and more. Now somewhat dated, the index works best for poetry written before the mid-1980s. Includes index for author, title, and first line index grouped by languages.
- American Humanities Index
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, AI3.A27
- This interdisciplinary source indexes some literary criticism, but is also useful for indexing poetry and other creative writing published in journals for each year. Covers 1975-present.
- Index to Black Poetry
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1025.C5
- This index draws from 94 books and pamphlets by individual poets, as well as some anthologies. Very useful for finding lesser-known poems by black authors. Indexing for authors, subject, and title/first line.
- Women's Poetry Index
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1024.G89 1985
- Indexes poetry in anthologies not available in Grainger's Index to Poetry, with poems searchable through poet, title, or first line.
- Index to Poetry in Music: A Guide to the Poetry Set as Solo Songs by 125 Major Composers
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, ML128.S3 B69 2003
- Index to poems set to music, arranged alphabetically with major subdivisions by composer and poet. Emphasis is on Western composers, and first lines are cross-referenced.
- Subject Index to Poetry: A Guide for Adult Readers
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1021.B7
- Best for early canonical writers, this index locates poems by subject (including people and specific geographic locations).
- Poetry Themes: A Bibliographical Index to Subject Anthologies and Related Criticism in the English Language, 1875-1975
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1022.M3
- Arranged by subject classification, this index is best for finding whole anthologies dealing with a specific topic or genre of poetry (rather than a specific poem).
Poetry Criticism
Criticism of poetry can be found in a number of electronic databases, including the MLA, Gale Literature Resource Center, and LION. These can be accessed at: /ul/research/subjects/?heading=6. However, because of the sheer volume of poetry published, some poems are more difficult to find covered. Some of the best resources for tracking down more obscure items are in the print reference books listed below.
- Poetry Criticism
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1010.P499
- Multi-volume set of reprinted poetry criticism. Use the most recent volume to find comprehensive indexing of the set. You may also use the Gale Literary Index to find corresponding volumes in Poetry Criticism and other Gale criticism sets.
- Guide to British Poetry Explication
- HSSGIS Ready Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PR311M3 1991
- Four-volume set covering Old English through Contemporary (mid-1990s) British poetry. Arranged by author, then by individual poem.
- Guide to American Poetry Explication
- HSSGIS Ready Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PS201G8 1989
- Two-volume set covering colonial period through contemporary (late 1980s) poetry. Arranged by author, then by poem.
- Poetry Explication: A Checklist of Interpretation Since 1925 of British and American Poems
- HSSGIS Ready Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PR502K8 1980
- Covers a wide span of British and American poetry criticism published from 1925-1977.
- Poets: American and British
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PS303.P64 1998
- This three-volume set offers lengthy essays on the work of major historical and contemporary poets from the U.S. and Great Britain. Each essay includes a bibliography for further reading on biography and criticism. This works best as a starting place for basic information, themes, etc.
Basic Poetry Information
(Where do I get published? What has a particular poet written? What does a particular term mean? What are the different types of poetry?)
- Poet's Market
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN161.P64 (most recent edition)
- Designed mostly for working poets interested in publication, this yearly resource offers information on publishers of poetry (including small press and chapbooks), tips on promotion, and articles on the field.
- Directory of Poetry Publishers
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN161.D473 (most recent edition)
- Lists over 2000 magazine and book publishers, with subject and geographical indexing. Payment and submission information is usually included.
- New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1021 .N39 1993
- http://uclibs.org/PID/17104
- A good starting place for basic information on different schools of poetry and concepts.
- New Princeton Handbook of Poetic Terms
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1042.P75 1986
- A supplement to the Encyclopedia above, this book gives explanations for a range of poetry terminology.
- Patterns of Poetry: An Encyclopedia of Forms
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1042.W514 1986
- Explains different forms of poetry, with examples of each (i.e. Haiku, Split couplets, etc.). See also Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics (HSSGIS Reference, PN1042.T8 2000) for similar information.
- Contemporary Poets
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PR603.C6 1991
- Arranged by author, but with a title index, this source gives biographical information, publication lists, and a synopsis of varying length on the author's work. Last updated in 1991, the focus is on mid-late 20th Century authors.
- Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Poetry in English
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PR601.O9 1994
- Arranged by author with some entries on genres and conventions, these entries feature Anglophone poets' biographies and most important publications. Useful for identifying consistent themes in a poet's work.
- Encyclopedia of American Poetry: The Twentieth Century
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PS323.5.E53 2001
- Listed alphabetically by author, this volume also allows searching by general subject and title. Includes description of work, biography, and suggested further reading.
- Encyclopedia of American Poetry: The Nineteenth Century
- http://uclibs.org/PID/17104
- Online edition of Encyclopedia dedicated to nineteenth century authors and bio-bibliography.
- Cambridge Companion to Victorian Poetry
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PR591.C36 2000
- Covers poets and poetic movements from the 1830s to the 1890s, including a chronology of publications and events. Articles are arranged by theme rather than individual authors, and include a suggested reading list.
- Who's Who in Twentieth-Century World Poetry
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PN1271.W46 2000
- Provides short entries for major world poets, with list of selected works and information on critical reception, ethnicity, and style.
- Contemporary Gay American Poets and Playwrights: An A-to-Z Guide
- HSSGIS Reference, PS325.C656 2003
- Contemporary American Women Poets: An A-to-Z Guide
- HSSGIS Reference, PS151.C67 1998
- Survey of American Poetry
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PS507.S827 1982
- Anthology of famous and representative poems by American authors; best for works written pre-1980 [see also Roth's American Poetry Annual (HSSGIS Reference / PS580.R68) for later poems]. Each volume is dedicated to a different time period.
- Survey of British Poetry
- HSSGIS Reference, 2nd floor Shields Library, PR1174.S87 1988
- Chronological anthology of major poems written between 449 A.D. and 1625, with short introductions. Longer poems have selected content only.