Works were reviewed and analyzed in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, and you can find that criticism, but you have to adopt a different search strategy as you won't be able to find it indexed in a library database.
One of the best ways is to find a comprehensive bibliography on your writer or topic. By this I mean a Book Length bibliography. If there is one, it will usually list all the earliest criticism published on that writer or topic.
To do this, search the library catalog for the writer or topic as SUBJECT and the word Bibliography in the TITLE.
However, all authors will not have one of these. Only the most famous writers will have one.
Many authors who do not have a full length bibliography, do still have a biography written about them. A biography will often mention early criticism because how the writer felt about the criticism and reviews received effected that authors life, and so is part of the story. Check the biography for references to the writers reception by the public and colleagues. It will usually then have a footnote or reference in the back to the full citation for the criticism.
To find a Biography - search for your Writer by SUBJECT, find one book on the writer, and write down the call number. Locate the book on the library shelf (you can ask for assistance at the front desk) and, once you have found it, look at the books that are shelved around this book. Biographies will be shelved after the actual works by the writer and before the criticism.
Sometimes someone will write a bibliographical essay on your writer or topic. This means they will write a journal article that discusses the earliest criticism and analysis of a writer or topic.
To find this type of article - Search The MLA Bibliography for your writer or topic as SUBJECT and the words Bibliograp* OR "early criticism" in the TITLE field.
If none of these strategies work, email or make an appointment with the English Subject Librarian!
