English Literature: A Guide to Resources: Biographical Sources

"Included in this volume are extended entries on more than 30 writers who incorporate Arthurian legend in their works. Arranged chronologically, the entries trace the pervasive influence of Arthurian lore on world literature across time. Entries are written by expert contributors and discuss such writers as Geoffrey of Monmouth, Boccaccio, Chaucer, Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, and Margaret Atwood. Each entry provides biographical information, a discussion of the author's use of Arthurian legend and contribution to the Arthurian literary tradition, and a bibliography of primary and secondary material." (publisher)

Alphabetically arranged by name, this volume provides short biographical entries, as well as lists of anonymous and pseudonymous texts, false ascriptions, and several critical appendices on such topics as Quaker women writers and women in the book trade.

One in a series of biographical dictionaries edited by Stanley Kunitz and Howard Haycroft. The arrangement is alphabetical by author and entries run from a paragraph to several pages in length. Many of the entries are illustrated and nearly all end with a bibliography of works by and about the author.

A single volume biographical dictionary providing brief accounts of the lives of the major and minor British authors of the nineteenth century. Arranged alphabetically by author, most entries include a bibliography of works by and about the author.

A set of literary biographies, originally published as individual studies in a British Council series called Writers and their Work. Arrangement is chronological, starting in Vol. l with the 14th century (William Langland: Piers Plowman) and ending in Vol. VII with Louis MacNeice and an essay on the poets of World War II. Volume VIII serves as an index for the complete set. Supplements issued regularly. Each essay contains both critical and biographical material and ends with a bibliography of works by and about the author.

An ongoing set of volumes designed to provide biographic, bibliographic and critical material on major writers past and present. Each print volume is arranged alphabetically by the writers covered. There are numerous portraits and often there are appendices containing special information. Online version is a component of Gale Literary Sources

Contains biographical entries for British women writers from the eighteenth century to the present. Each entry includes a list of the author's primary works and a bibliography of critical sources. Entries are signed and a list of contributors is provided. The detailed index is cross referenced for pseudonyms or variant names used by an author.

A 1200-page compendium of biographical sketches for more than 2700 women writing in English, including those from African, Asian, Caribbean, Canadian and other literary traditions. Includes some topical entries as well. Some list sources for further reading.

"Through roughly 75 alphabetically arranged entries written by more than 35 expert contributors, this reference overviews the lives and works of Irish women writers active in a range of genres and periods. Each entry includes a brief biography, a discussion of major works and themes, a survey of the writer's critical reception, and a list of works by and about the author. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography." [publisher]

Alphabetically arranged entries on 58 British women writers of the 20th century discuss each writer's life, works, and critical reception. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and contains an overview of the writer's background, an Analysis of her major works, and an assessment of the critical response to her writings. The entries close with primary and secondary bibliographies, and the volume concludes with a selected, general bibliography. (publisher's description)