Reference

Slavery

Books

To locate more books on slavery, use the following subject headings:

Reference Books at Central Library

Reference books may be consulted in the library but may not be borrowed.

A Historical Guide to the World of Slavery

Encyclopedias

When using encyclopaedias, remember to look in the index to locate all relevant entries. For example, slavery may be discussed generally and also by country and/or culture.

World Book

The New Encyclopaedia Britannica

These encyclopaedias, and others, are also available online through our premium websites.

Premium websites

The following websites are available via the library web site.
Access this with your library card number and PIN, or at our libraries.

Academic Research Library
Provides recent articles on “slavery” and “slavery and history”.
Biography Center
Provides articles on well-known figures in the anti-slavery/abolition movement as well as other notable figures (e.g. Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass). Either search by name or, in the “Biographical Facts Search” section enter “slave” as occupation.
Credo Reference
Provides brief encyclopaedia and dictionary entries on slavery, the slave trade and the Atlantic slave trade.
Discovering Collection
Click on “slavery” from list of topics.
Ebscohost
Use this database to locate articles on slavery. ‘Academic Search Premier’, ‘MasterFILE Premier’ and the ‘MAS Ultra Public Library’ will all be helpful. Use the search options to select full text so you can read the full article. Other useful subject headings to try are “slave trade history”, “slavery history”, and “slave labour”.
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia
Use the following terms in the search function: “Atlantic slave trade” or “slavery”. Use the links to locate relevant web sites and articles on slavery where provided.
History Research Center
Use “slavery” to search for articles on a variety of viewpoints and aspects. Useful for primary sources and maps as well as other multimedia resources.
Lands and People
Basic definitions. Majority of content is within context of specific countries. A lot of the information is linked to the Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
Use “slavery” as a subject search to find differing viewpoints on current issues dealing with reparations to former slaves and their families.
Oxford Reference Online
Brief entries are cited from a variety of dictionaries. Search for "slavery" and the "slave trade".
Student Resource Center
Click on slavery from list of popular topics.
World Book Online
Search the encyclopaedia for slavery. Note the "related info" which provides access to other resources.

More web sites

Use the Internet Gateway to find further information on slavery.

Internet Gateway > History > Slavery

Helpful hints

  • To quickly locate information on the slavery use the site's search function.
  • Use each site's "Related terms/information" and/or "Links" to locate additional information.