19th Century Periodicals: Getting Started

Nineteenth century periodicals provide unique insight into all facets of 19^th century life. From the published creative works of prominent authors and breaking scientific discoveries, to society columns and magazine advertisements, these primary source materials are ripe resources for research across fields.

Magazine journalism grew steadily in the United States and Great Britain in the early part of the century, and the field burgeoned in the years following the Civil War. Between 1865 and 1870, U.S.-published periodicals doubled in number to over 1,300 publications.

Literary magazines were an outlet for new fiction, and many authors, including Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Herman Melville, Mark Twain, Henry James, and Harriet Beecher Stowe published their creative works in serial format.

Making of America - Cornell University

Making of America (MOA) is a digital library of primary sources in American social history from the antebellum period through Reconstruction. The collection is particularly strong in the subject areas of education, psychology, American history, sociology, religion, and science and technology.

The collection currently contains over 50,000 full-text journal articles from over 35 journals including:

Atlantic Monthly, 1857-1900

Galaxy, 1866-1878

Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, 1850-1899

Living Age, 1844-1900

New England Magazine, 1831-1835 and 1886-1900

Princeton Review, 1830-1882

Scientific American, 1846-1869

Scribner’s Magazine, 1887-1896

Southern Literary Messenger, 1834-1864

Vanity Fair, 1860-1862

Making of America - University of Michigan