This is a tremendous source for finding information on the vast majority of famous authors as well as information on the themes they employ in their works and specific literary devices they use. This accredited source is used in major colleges and universities throughout the United States. It contains very thorough information for authors who have already deceased but one might want to consult other sources for more contemporary authors.
Cuddon, J.A., ed., A Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, Ltd., 1998.
This work contains a vast plethora of terms, themes, and devices used in literary works. It gives detailed treatment of the subject matter and provides specific examples to help the reader grasp each concept more clearly. This is an ideal source for furthering one's understanding of literature and some of the tenets upon which it is built. It contains most of the basic information needed to understand literature as it has just recently been updated. This is also a very solid work used in even the most prestigious colleges and universities.
Nakamura, Joyce, ed., Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series. Farmington Hills: Gale Research, Inc., 1999.
This is a fantastic work for tracking down information on modern authors who have yet to have had extensive writings published about their lives and works. It provides generous information about the author's lives and gets to the heart of their works as they discuss many of the themes and elements present in their work. There is no better way to understand a work of literature than to have the author explain it himself. Gale Research is committed to providing the best in research for all of its publications which find their home in practically every library of any significance. The reader is sure to find basically any author listed as the publication is only a year old.
Unger, Leonard, ed., American Writers. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1974.
This source is great for locating information on major American authors known before 1974. It provides good, solid information about each auther's life and plunges in depth with the major themes present in their works. As it is rather outdated, it is still useful for gathering information about authors who have deceased or retired before 1974 and it is even useful for obtaining information about the earlier works of American authors who are still living and writing. The publisher is well known for producing quality work which is reliable and well-researched.