If you would like to see primary source materials in person, visit Special Collections, which is located on the fourth floor of the Clapp Library.
Here are just some of the collections that may be of interest to those studying English Literature.
English Poetry Collection
Over 12,000 volumes of English poetry, encompassing over five and a half centuries, from Geoffrey Chaucer to Ted Hughes, and from Anne Bradstreet to Maya Angelou.
Rare Books
Includes first editions of many famous literary works. Other highlights include illuminated manuscripts, tracts by Martin Luther, and works in philosophy, the classics, and the history of science.
For more information on available primary sources, try these additional guides:
Also consult the Internet Resources and Historic News & Reviews pages of this guide for more primary source collections.
Primary source collections primarily from American and British archives. Collection themes include empire and globalism, gender and sexuality, history, literature, politics, theatre, and war and conflict.
Dates: 15th Century-20th Century CE
An archive of nearly 1,000 prompt books of 34 of Shakespeare's plays, showing how they were performed in theatres throughout Great Britain, the U.S., and internationally. Prompt books feature the the text of play, usually annotated to include cut lines or scenes, cues for music, movement, lighting, and other stage directions.
Dates: 1660s-1975 CE