Cambridge Companions are a series of authoritative guides, written by leading experts, offering lively, accessible introductions to major writers, artists, philosophers, topics, and periods.

The first two titles in the Companions series were the Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and the Cambridge Companion to Chaucer, which were both published in 1986 and have since been updated with new editions. Now, over 600 titles have been published with the intention not only to offer a comprehensive overview of their chosen topic, but to display and provoke lively and controversial debate.

Cambridge Core hosts the online version of the printed series and includes over 600 Companion titles, over 4,000 essays, as well as bibliographies and further reading. It is fully searchable by author, title, topic, or theme. Content is available as a complete collection or in subsets for institutional purchase and lease. If your institution doesn't have access to Cambridge Companions, you can recommend these by selecting the title you are interested in, and clicking on 'Recommend to your librarian'.

Key information

• Over 25 years of content
• Over 600 titles
• 4,000 essays
• Frequent updates include new and original editions
• Tools enable teaching and learning
• Searchable via metadata and fulltext
• Reference linking
• Scholarship is regularly updated with new editions with original versions still available

Useful links

• Find out more about the online version of Cambridge Companions, including purchase options, in our electronic brochure
• Find out more about Cambridge Companions in other formats, including print and ebooks for individuals
• Browse Companions by date published

For more information on how you can access titles in the Cambridge Companions collection, please visit our purchasing models information page.

Trials to Cambridge Companions Online are available to prospective institutional subscribers worldwide. If you would like to speak directly to a Cambridge representative about setting up a trial, please use the details found on the contact us page.

Endorsements of Cambridge Companions

Review of The Cambridge Companion to Homer

"Every chapter proves rewarding. … this is a magnificent achievement. It is the indispensable vade mecum for the student of Homer." Journal of Classics teaching

Review of The New Cambridge Companion to Joseph Conrad

"This is a book that can be recommended warmly and without reservation. Order it for the library and buy an extra copy for your own bookshelf: you will want to refer to it in the days that come." Jeremy Hawthorn, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Review of the Cambridge Companion to the Beatles:

"Whether readers were there at the beginning or are newcomers to the magical mystery world of Beatlemania, this in-depth compendium is a must read …'toppermost of the poppermost' … Highly recommended." T. Emery, CHOICE

Review of The Cambridge Companion to Modern Indian Culture:

"An excellent addition to a college or university library that supports India studies, cultural studies, anthropology or history departments." Sue Phelps, REFERENCE REVIEWS

Awards for Cambridge Companions include:

The Cambridge Companion to American Gay and Lesbian Literature
2015 Choice Outstanding Academic Title

The Cambridge Companion to Women's Writing in the Romantic Period
2015 Choice Outstanding Academic Title