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Harlem Renaissance

This guide features information and resources for research on the Harlem Renaissance, a revival of art, music, and culture which took place in Manhattan's Harlem district in the 20s, 30s, and early 40s.

Subject-Focused Encyclopedias

Need to select a research topic or find background information?  

The Reference Collection includes a variety of different sources, such as: subject-focused encyclopedias, handbooks, almanacs, maps/atlases, statistical compendiums, dictionaries, and more. Look here to find introductory articles on subject-related topics. The broad perspective offered by such articles often proves helpful for narrowing research topics before pursuing more in-depth information. 

This guide provides some recommendations for encyclopedias and other reference resources that might provide helpful information relating to your topic.

Online Encyclopedia Databases for the Harlem Renaissance

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Recommended Multimedia Databases

Working from off campus? If so, you will need to log in with your Kean Google username and password.

Recommended Subject-Focused Encyclopedias

African-American Art

Main Collection (Third Floor)

African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond

Main Collection (Third Floor)

African American Encyclopedia

Reference Collection Annex (Second Floor)
Volumes 1-10

African Americans: Voices of Triumph, Leadership

Main Collection (Second Floor)

African Americans: Voices of Triumph, Perseverance

Main Collection (Second Floor)

Biographical History of African-American Artists, A-Z

Main Collection (Third Floor)

Early Black American Playwrights and Dramatic Writers

Main Collection (Third Floor)

Encyclopedia of African American Society

Electronic Resource
Volumes 1-2

Encyclopedia of African American Society

Reference Collection (Second Floor)
Volumes 1-2

Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance

Reference Collection (Second Floor), Volumes 1-2

Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Literature

Nancy Thompson Library Main Collection

Harlem Renaissance: A Historical Dictionary for the Era

Main Collection (Third Floor)

Harlem Renaissance and Beyond: Literary Biographies of 100 Black Women Writers, 1900-1945

Main Collection (Third Floor)

Historical and Cultural Atlas of African Americans

Main Collection (Second Floor)

International Dictionary of Black Composers

Main Collection (Third Floor)

Literary Sisters

Electronic Resource

Social History of the United States

Reference Collection (First Floor)
Volumes 1-10

Zora Neale Hurston

Main Collection (Third Floor)