LibGuides: Research Starter: History: Explore Topics

Researching Historical Sources in the Library

Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.

Ray Bradbury

"Old letter" by Umbrella Shot is licensed by CC BY 2.0

Credo Reference
This database includes over 600 reference works on all sorts of topics. Occasionally there are TOPIC PAGES that include background information plus links to other library databases for your topic. Also check out the CONCEPT MAP to discover other terms and topics related to your subject.

Oxford Reference Online
Over 100 full text language and subject dictionaries and reference works. Topics covered include general reference, language, science and medicine, humanities, social sciences, and business.

Gale Ebooks (formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library)
More than 12,000 reference eBooks from over 100 industry-leading publishers for every discipline. Most of these eBooks are aimed at a first-year undergraduate audience.

Here are a few print reference materials that could provide general background information on your topic:

Dictionary of American Biography
Call Number: E176 .D56
Publication Date: 1928-1980
New Dictionary of American History by Stanley I. Kutler
Call Number: REF E174 .D52 2003
ISBN: 9780684805320
Publication Date: 2002
Dictionary of National Biography
Call Number: REF DA28 .D4
Publication Date: 1912-1960
Encyclopedia of American History by Richard B. Morris
Call Number: E174.5 .M847 1970
Publication Date: 1970
An Encyclopedia of World History by William L. Langer
ISBN: 9780395135921
Publication Date: 1973-11-27
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences by William A. Darity
Call Number: REF H40.A2 I5 2008
ISBN: 9780028661179
Publication Date: 2008