Volume one of an eight-volume set which aims to provide thorough coverage of major British literary figures of all eras. This volume covers 20 to 30 writers from all genres who were active during the period prior to 1660, including Francis Bacon, John Donne, and Christopher Marlowe. Entries contain three main elements: a bibliography of works by the author; biocritical essays discussing each author's life and works in the context of literary history; and a bibliography of works about the author.