Research Guides: HIST 5023: Historical Methods: Periodicals and Magazines

Contemporary Periodical Literature

Popular peridicals and magazines easily convey the atmosphere of the time in which they were published. Not only the feature articles, but also the illustrations, editorial statements, and advertisements can serve as primary sources.

Magazines and Periodicals

Making of America Periodicals
An impressive online collection of 19th century periodicals and some books.
Pooles’ Index to Periodicals Literature, 1802‐1906
A subject index to articles in 19th century periodicals. Ref AI3 P7.

HarpWeek: Harper's Weekly Online This link opens in a new window
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HarpWeek provides electronic access to Harper's Weekly, the illustrated 19th century 'Journal of Civilization' for a 56-year period: 1857-1912. An important primary resource for examining 19th-century America.
Readers' Guide Retrospective This link opens in a new window
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Covers: 1890-1982. Indexes the most popular general-interest periodicals published in the United States.
Includes magazines and periodicals such as Time, National Geographic, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report, and are covered. Many titles are indexed back to their first issue date. An especially rich source for locating television, theater, film, and book reviews for older works.

Google Books: Magazines
A new initiative to scan 20th century periodicals. Includes titles such as the Crisis, Life, Billboard, and more. Use the Advanced Search in Google Books to limit your search to magazine articles.