A good source of background material can be found in biographical dictionaries. Kent Library provides access to two different biographical dictionaries for students to use.
This is an online source that can be accessed from Kent Library's website.
From Kent Library homepage (library.semo.edu) it is located under "Quick Links" under "Reference Sources."
Dictionary of Literary Biography is a large series of volumes offering biographical-critical essays on authors. Coverage is international, with emphasis on English and American. Available in print in the Kent Library Main Stacks.