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German Language & Literature

The purpose of this guide is to introduce graduate students to the essential research materials in German language and literature. Many of the following research tools can be found in BobCat by doing a subject search using Library of Congress subject headings. They follow this pattern:

  • Main subject heading -- (Period subheading) -- additional subheading
  • German literature -- (18th century) -- history and criticism
  • German poetry -- (20th century) -- bibliography

Librarian for German Language and Literature

Evelyn Ehrlich
Librarian for German Language and Literature
New York University
Bobst Library, Mezzanine
70 Washington Square So.
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 998-2568
E-mail: // evelyn.ehrlich@nyu.edu

NYU Links

Related Subject Guides

Internet Links

  • Directory of Electronic Journals, Newsletters and Academic Discussion Lists. Washington, D.C.: Association of Research Libraries, 1997.
    Bobst Ref1 Z286.E43S76 1997

    Lists electronic journals, newsletters and discussion lists that are available through Internet connections. Also available at http://dsej.arl.org/.

Library Catalogs and Information Servers

Archives

Newspapers

Full Text Newspapers & News Magazines

Books In Print

Bookstores

Publishers

Universities

Scholarly Societies

  • Scholarly Societies Project
    From University of Waterloo. Excellent web site that organizes the WWW pages of Scholarly Societies throughout the world.

Scholarly Electronic Conferences

 

Scholarships and Employment

Societies and Foundations

Introductions & Handbooks

  • Boor, Helmut de and Richard Newald. Geschichte der deutschen Literatur von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart. München: Beck, 1949- .
    Bobst Ref1 PT85.B64

    History of German literature. Written from different methodological viewpoints.

  • Grimminger, Rolf, ed. Hansers Sozialgeschichte der deutschen Literatur vom 16. Jahrhundert bis zu Gegenwart. München: Hanser, 1980- .
    Bobst PT111.H36

    History of German literature from a sociological perspective.

  • Grimm, Günter E. and Frank Rainer Max. Deutsche Dichter. Leben und Werk deutschsprachiger Autoren. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1988-1990.
    Bobst Ref1 PT155.D476 1988
  • Killy, Walther. Literaturlexikon. Autoren und Werke deutscher Sprache. München: Bertelsmann, 1988-1993.
    Bobst Ref1 PT41.L5 1988

Lexica & Dictionaries

AUTHOR LEXICA- GENERAL

  • Berger, Bruno and Heinz Rupp. Deutsches Literatur-Lexikon (DLL). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Handbuch. Bern: Francke, 1968- . 3rd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2230.K86 (2nd ed.: Z2230.K86 1949)

    Extensive and exhaustive author lexikon. Offers biographical and bibliographical information (both primary and secondary literature). Covers all of German literature.

  • Die Deutsche Literatur. Biographisches und bibliographisches Lexikon. Bern: Lang, 1979- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z2232.D4 1980

    When completely published, this will be a monumental biographical and bibliographical lexicon. Six "Reihen" have been planned for various time periods; each of these will contain two "Abteilungen": A: Author Lexicon, containing biographical and critical essays and B: Research Literature Lexicon, containing the important secondary materials.

AUTHOR LEXICA- BY PERIOD

  • Die deutsche Literatur des Mittelalters. Vefasserlexikon. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1978- . 2nd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2230.S78 1977

    Alphabetically arranged biographical lexicon covering German authors from the 8th to the 16th century. Bibliography added to each entry.

  • Arnold, Heinz Ludwig, ed. Kritisches Lexikon zur deutschsprachigen Gegenwartsliteratur. München: edition text+kritik, 1978- .
    Bobst Ref1 PT155.K74 1978

    Alphabetically arranged lexicon covering contemporary German language authors. Offers biographical and interpretive essays, and a primary and secondary literature bibliography. These loose-leafed volumes allow for regular additions and revisions.

  • Kürschners Deutscher Literatur-Kalender. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1897-.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2230.K95

    Listing of living authors with minimal biographical and bibliographical information, includes addresses. Lists of recent deaths, birthdays, translators (with addresses), literary publishers, literary agents, radio stations, journals, author and literary "Gesellschaften", and literary prizes.

TITLE LEXICA

  • Jens, Walter, ed. Kindlers Neues Literatur Lexikon. München: Kindler, 1988-1992.
    Bobst Ref1 PN44.K54 1988

    Essays on literary works organized alphabetically by author. Covers world literature, but with a special emphasis on German literature.

CONCEPT LEXICA

  • Kohlschmidt, Werner and Wolfgang Mohr, eds. Reallexikon der deutschen Literaturgeschichte. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1958-1988. 2nd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 PT41.R28 1958 (1st ed. Bobst Ref1 PT41.R28)

    Indispensable. Focuses on the history of German literature (genre, form, style, movements). Includes information on regional literature.

ENCYCLOPEDIAS

  • Brockhaus Enzyklopädie in vierundzwanzig Bänden. Mannheim: Brockhaus, 1986- . (19th ed.)
    Bobst Ref1 AE27.G672 1987

    Important basic resource for German culture and civilization. Scope: international, but with emphasis on central Europe.

  • Meyers Enzyklopädisches Lexikon in fünfundzwanzig Bänden. Mannheim: Bibliographisches Institut, 1971-1981. (9th ed.)
    Bobst Ref1 AE27.M6 1971

    A general encyclopedia. Scope: international, but with emphasis on central Europe.

BIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCE WORKS

  • Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, 1875-1912.
    Bobst Ref1 CT1053.A5

    Lists important persons who died before 1899. Includes bibliographical references. Vol. 56 is a general index.

  • Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB). Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 1953- .
    Bobst Ref1 DD85.M4

    Lists important personalities who died before the publication of each volume. Includes bibliographical references.

  • Gorzny, Willi, ed. Deutscher Biographischer Index. München: K.G. Saur, 1986.
    Bobst Ref1 Z5305.G3K63 1986

    Index to the monumental Deutsches Biographisches Archiv (DBA) [microfiche], which is available at the New York Public Research Libraries. Cumulates many German biographical works through the 19th century. (DBA: neue Folge bis zur Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts is being published, and is also available at the New York Public Research Libraries.) The index contains date of birth and death, the profession of the person, and a number referring to the article available in the DBA.

    Also check the volumes of the Dictionary of Literary Biography dealing with German and Austrian literature. Bobst Ref1 PT section.

DICTIONARIES

  • Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Deutsches Wörterbuch. München: dtv, 1984.
    Bobst Ref1 PF3625.G8 1984

    Most important historical German dictionary.

  • Duden. Das grosse Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache. Mannheim: Duden, 1993- . 2nd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 PF3625.D83 1993

    Important modern German dictionary.

Bibliographies & Catalogs

INTRODUCTORY SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES

  • Blinn, Hansjürgen. Informationshandbuch Deutsche Literaturwissenschaft. Frankfurt M.: Fischer, 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.B64 1994

    Very thorough guide to research in German literature. Includes annotated entries for major bibliographies; reference books; dissertation indexes; German imprint bibliographies; periodical bibliographies; journals; special collections in German speaking countries; literary archives and writer museums; libraries and electronic databases; academies and research institutions; literary "Gesellschaften", and literary prizes.

  • Faulhaber, Uwe K. and P.B. Goff. German Literature: An Annotated Reference Guide. New York: Garland, 1979.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.F38

    Comprehensive coverage of reference works in German literature, and selective coverage of basic resources in German art, music, history, philosophy, folklore, geography, and language teaching.

  • Hansel, J. Bücherkunde für Germanisten. Bearb. von Lydia Tschakert. Studienausgabe. Berlin: Schmidt, 1991. 9th ed.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2235.A2H3 1978

    Comprehensive guide to reference books, serials, and other important resources in German language and literature.

  • Newman, L.M. German Language and Literature: Selected Bibliography of Reference Books. London: Institute of Germanic Studies, 1980.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2235.A2L6 1979

    Partially annotated. Includes some highly specialized works not found in standard guides to German reference materials.

  • Raabe, Paul. Einführung in die Bücherkunde zur Deutschen Literaturwissenschaft. Stuttgart: Metzler, 1980. 9th ed.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.R24 1980

    Useful for the advanced student. Information consists of 3 parts: (a) Description of the works, (b) search strategies for using these works, (c) bibliography of the works cited in (a) and (b).

  • Richardson, L.L. Introduction to Library Research in German Studies -- Language, Literature, and Civilization. Boulder: Westview, 1984.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2235.A2R5 1984

    A guide to essential and important research in German studies.

CLOSED GENERAL SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES

  • Köttelwesch, Clemens. Bibliographisches Handbuch der deutschen Literaturwissenschaft. 1945-1969 1972. Frankfurt M.: Klostermann, 1973-1979.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.K72

    Systematically organized bibliography covering the whole of German literature: vol. 1, up to Romanticism (covering articles published from 1945-1969); and vol. 2, from 1830 up to the present (covering articles published between 1945-1972). This cumulates up to 1972 Bibliographie der deutschen Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft and expands the MLA Bibliography for German literature. Contains author and subject index.

  • Albrecht, Günter and Günther Dahlke. Internationale Bibliographie zur Geschichte der deutschen Literatur von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart. Berlin: Aufbau, 1969-1977.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.A4

    Systematically organized bibliography covering the whole of German literature: vol. 1, up to 1789; vols. 2 & 3, from 1789 up to the present. Emphasizes contributions of East-European scholars. Contains author and subject index.

  • Handbuch der deutschen Literaturgeschichte. Abt. 2 Bibliographien. Bern: Francke, 1969- .
    Bobst, cataloged individually (using this title to search in BobCat will retrieve each volume.)

    A monographic series of selective bibliographies covering the history of German literature, from the beginning to 1970, aiming to introduce the researcher to the best critical literature. Each volume covers a major period.

  • Goedeke, Karl. Grundriss zur Geschichte der deutschen Dichtung. Aus den Quellen. Dresden: Ehlermann; Berlin: Akademie-Verlag, 1884-1966, 1985- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.G6

    Important and exhaustive bibliography listing articles from 1884 onwards. Covers German literature from the Middle Ages through the Romantic period. Rather difficult to use, although publication of author index in 1975 has improved ease of use.

  • Hannich-Bode, Ingrid. Germanistik in Festschriften von den Anfängen (1877) bis 1973. Verzeichnis germanistischer Festschriften und Bibliographie der darin abgedruckten germanistischen Beiträge. Stuttgart: Metzlersche, 1976.
    Bobst Ref1 Z7036.L66x

    Provides access to "Festschriften" on German language, literature and culture published from 1877 to 1973. The articles within each "Festschrift" are listed separately. Contains name, title and subject index.

PERIODICAL INDEXES AND SERIAL GENERAL SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES

  • Modern Language Association of America. MLA International Bibliography of Books and Articles on the Modern Languages and Literatures. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1921- .
    --Paper: Bobst Ref1 Z7006.M64 (1921 to date).
    --Online: http://library.nyu.edu/collections/find_articles.html
    See Research Guide 52 for detailed information about this title.

    Annual bibliography with minimal annotations. When started in 1921 this covered writings by Americans on the literatures of various countries. By 1963 it listed books and articles in English and in Western European languages and in some Eastern European languages, and since 1981 it aims to be all-inclusive. Now it covers modern languages and literatures of the world, as well as literary criticism and theory; comparative and historical linguistics; folklore; and professional topics.

    A companion to the MLA International Bibliography is Modern Language Association of America. MLA Directory of Periodicals - A Guide to Journals and Series in Languages and Literatures. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1978/79-. Bobst Ref1 PB1.M27x (ask at desk for current directory). Biennual. Covers journals and series indexed by MLA International Bibliography. Gives editorial description, subscription information, submission information. Indexes to subjects, sponsoring organizations, editorial personnel, languages published.

  • Bibliographie der deutschen Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft. Frankfurt M.: Klostermann, 1957- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.B5

    Annual unannotated bibliography, systematically organized. Started covering linguistics in 1969. To be used with the MLA Bibliography, since it provides more in-depth coverage. Includes citations to books, articles and important reviews. Contains name and subject index. In part this is cumulated by Köttelwesch, Bibliographisches Handbuch der deutschen Literaturwissenschaft.

  • Germanistik. Internationales Referatenorgan mit bibliographischen Hinweisen. Tübingen: Niemeyer, 1960-.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2221.G43

    Quarterly, partially annotated bibliography. Systematically organized. To be used in conjuction with MLA Bibliography and Bibliographie der deutschen Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft., covering recent publications. Contains name and subject index.

  • The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies. Ed. by the Modern Humanities Research Association. London: Cambridge University Press, 1930- .
    Bobst Ref1 PB1.Y45 (1929 to date).

    Annual collection of bibliographical essays reviewing the year's production of scholarly research in many areas, including General linguistics and Germanic languages. Concerned with development from medieval times to the present day. Critically assesses major articles, books and new editions. Very useful as an overview of recent secondary literature. See section "German Studies". Includes books and articles appearing since 1921.

SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES- BY PERIOD

MIDDLE AGES
  • Bibliographien zur deutschen Literatur des Mittelalters. Berlin: E. Schmidt, 1950- .
    Bobst cataloged individually
  • International Medieval Bibliography. Leeds: University of Leeds, 1967 68- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z6203.I63

    Annual bibliography covering whole range of medieval studies. Chronological limits: 450-1500 AD; geographical limits: entire European continent including the Byzantine Empire and the Crusader States. Organized by broad subject and then by country. General index is very useful for more detailed subject searches.

15th AND 16th CENTURIES:
  • Johnson, Alfred Forbes and Victor Scholderer. Short-Title Catalogue of books printed in the German-speaking countries and German books printed in other countries from 1455 to 1600, now in the British Museum. London: Trustees of the British Museum, 1962. (+ Supplement, 1990).
    Bobst Ref1 Z2222.B73
  • Bibliographie internationale de l'Humanisme et de la Renaissance. Genève: Droz, 1966- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z6207.R4B5

    Comprehensive annual unannotated bibliography covering the cultural, historical, social and scientific aspects of all European countries; Italy and Eastern Europe from 14th century to the middle of the 17th century. Includes books and articles appearing since 1965.

17th CENTURY:
  • Bibliographie zur deutschen Literaturgeschichte des Barockzeitalters. Bern: Francke, 1980-1991.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2232.P87

    Bibliography of secondary literature. Two parts: (1) systematical-chronological arrangement; (2) alphabetical-systematical-chronological arrangement.

18th CENTURY
  • Internationale Bibliographie zur deutschen Klassik 1750-1850. Weimar: Nationale Forschungs- und Gedenkstätten der klassischen deutschen Literatur, 1968- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z2233.I6

    Primary & secondary literature and reviews. Systematic approach, but includes a name and subject index.

  • The Eighteenth Century. A Current Bibliography. New York: AMS Press, 1975- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z5579.6.E36

    Covers publications (including books, articles and reviews) whose principle focus is upon the artistic, historic and intellectual events occuring during the years 1660-1800. Offers annotated entries which are organized by general subject and then alphabetically by author. Doesn't offer more refined subject index. Not exhaustive.

  • The Romantic Movement. A Selective and Critical Bibliography. West Cornwall, CT: West Cornwall, 1964-.
    Bobst Ref1 Z6514.R6R7

    Annotated entries organized by country.

20th CENTURY:
  • Raabe, Paul. Die Autoren und Bücher des Literarische Expressionismus. Stuttgart: Metzler, 1992. 2nd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 PT405.R22 1992

    Comprehensive source on German literary expressionism.

SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES

  • Schmitt, Franz Anselm. Stoff- und Motivgeschichte der deutschen Literatur. Eine Bibliographie. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1976. 3rd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.S35 1976

AUTHOR BIBLIOGRAPHIES

  • To find author bibliographies, search the author's name as a subject in BobCat with subheading -- bibliography

MANUSCRIPT CATALOGS

  • Mommsen, Wolfgang A. Die Nachlässe in den deutschen Archiven. Mit Ergängzungen aus anderen Beständen. Boppard: Harald Boldt, 1971-1983.
    Bobst Ref1 Z6616.A2M6

DISSERTATION CATALOGS

  • Gorzny, Willi. Gesamtverzeichnis deutschsprachiger Hochschulschriften (GVH) 1966-1980. München: Saur, 1984-1991.
    Bobst Ref1 Z5055.G4G47 1984

    Lists dissertations within German studies written at European universities from 1966-1980. Alphabetically arranged by author. Title keyword register.

BOOK CATALOGS

  • Gesamtverzeichnis des deutschsprachigen Schrifttums (GV) 1700-1910. München: Saur, 1979-1987.
    Bobst Ref1 MF13 (microfiche cabinet)
  • Gesamtverzeichnis des deutschsprachigen Schrifttums (GV) 1911-1965 München: Saur, 1976-1981.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2221.G47

    These constitute a catalog of German materials from 1700-1965. Include besides monographs and monographic series also German, Austrian and Swiss (from Basel, Bern, Freiburg, St. Gallen and Zuerich) dissertations. Alphabetically arranged by author.

  • Hirschberg, Leopold. Der Taschengoedeke: Bibliographie deutschen Erstausgaben. München: DTV, 1990. 2nd ed.
    Bobst Ref1 Z2231.H67 1990

    Lists 1st editions from 1650 through 19th century. A microfiche collection of all these titles is available at the New York Public Research Libraries.

SERIAL CATALOGS

  • Kirchner, Joachim. Bibliographie der Zeitschriften des deutschen Sprachgebietes bis 1900. Stuttgart: Hiersemann, 1969-.
    Bobst Ref1 Z6956.G3K53

    German union list of serials. Serials are listed chronologically by general subject. Vol. 4 is a title index.

  • Estermann, Alfred. Die deutschen Literatur-Zeitschriften 1815-1850. Bibliographien, Programme, Autoren. Nendeln: Kraus Thomson, 1977-1981.
    Bobst Ref1 PT1136.A2E8
  • Estermann, Alfred. Die deutschen Literatur-Zeitschriften 1850-1880. Bibliographien, Programme. München: Saur, 1988-1991.
    Bobst Ref1 PT1136.A2E77 1988
  • Dietzel, Thomas and Hans-Otto Hügel. Deutsche Literarische Zeitschriften 1880-1945. Ein Repertorium. München: Saur, 1988.
    Bobst Ref1 PT401.D54 1988

    These offer descriptions of German literary journals from 1815-1945. Include programmatic statements and list contributors. Estermann (1815-1850), vol. 1 includes also a selection of literary journals published between 1645-1814.

BOOK REVIEW BIBLIOGRAPHIES

  • Zeller, Otto and Wolfram Zeller. Internationale Bibliographie der Rezensionen wissenschaftlicher Literatur (IBR). Osnabrück: Felix Dietrich, 1971- .
    Bobst Ref1 Z5051.I64

    Semi-annual. Tri-lingual. The best book review index for German studies. Scope: international.

Book reviews can be found in the following journals:

  • Arbitrium Bobst PT3.A7
  • The German Quarterly Bobst PF3001.G3
  • German Studies Review Bobst DD1.G382
  • Germanisch-Romanische Monatsschrift Bobst PB3.G3
  • Seminar: A Journal of Germanic Studies Bobst PF3001.S4
  • Zeitschrift für Deutsche Philologie Bobst PF3003.Z35
  • Zeitschrift für Deutsches Altertum und Deutsche Literature Bobst PF3003.Z42
  • Zeitschrift für Dialektologie und Linguistik Bobst PF5001.Z42

LIBRARIES IN GERMANY-AUSTRIA-SWITZERLAND

  • Handbuch der Bibliotheken Bundesrepublik: Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz. 2nd ed. München: Saur, 1989.
    Bobst Ref1 Z801.A1H36 1989
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