Research Guides: WRI 144/145 American Dissent: Background Information and Reference

Encyclopedias/Dictionaries

Encyclopedias are great ways to get background information and understand the terms used to describe topics.

Encyclopaedia Britannica Online This link opens in a new window
Academic version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, which is no longer published in print format. For a list of all editions of the Britannica held by Princeton, see the History Resource Guide. Includes the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Antiquity+
OED Online (Oxford English Dictionary) This link opens in a new window
Considered the most authoritative and comprehensive English language dictionary in the world. Includes information on the English language, its history, and the social, cultural, and political influences that have shaped the language through the centuries.
Oxford Reference This link opens in a new window
Full-text of hundreds of dictionaries and other reference works in the humanities and social sciences, published by Oxford University Press.

Online Encyclopedias available at Princeton
We have many specialized encyclopedias covering just about every field. This links to one list, and others might be found in the Subject pages for Articles and Databases.

Oxford Bibliographies This link opens in a new window
Detailed guides to a wide variety of disciplines.