Library: English Databases: Primary Sources (Original Texts) and Dictionaries

Dictionaries

Dictionary of Old English This link opens in a new window
Defines the vocabulary of the first six centuries (C.E. 600-1150) of the English language.
Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
Traces the definitions, usage, and history of English-language words.

Black Drama This link opens in a new window
Plays by Black writers from the mid-1800s to the present. Includes criticism images.
Celebration of Women Writers (Univ of PA) This link opens in a new window
Primary sources and related links for women writers from ancient times to the present.
Dictionary of Old English—Web Corpus This link opens in a new window
Contains at least one copy of every surviving Old English text.
Early English Books Online This link opens in a new window
Books and primary sources from 1475–1700 in English.
Eighteenth Century Collections Online This link opens in a new window
Books and primary sources from the 1700s in English.
Nineteenth Century Collections Online (NCCO) This link opens in a new window
Primary-sources of the 1800s mainly from Western perspectives.
Project Gutenberg This link opens in a new window
E-books to download or read online. Focuses on older works for which U.S. copyright has expired.
Scottish Women Poets of the Romantic Period This link opens in a new window
Works of rare lyric poetry from 50+ Scottish women poets.