The Britannica guide to authors

Presents the lives and a short analysis of the principle works of Greek, Roman, European, Chinese, and Arabic authors from the late Classical Era up to the end of the Dark Ages.

As Europe's religious, social, economic, and cultural identity began to take more definite shape in the medieval and Renaissance eras, so too did its literary identity. By capturing in ink the spirit of these transformative periods, such literary giants laid the foundations for literature, drama, and poetry today.

Reason, rationality, and reform were perhaps the biggest buzzwords of the Enlightenment era and the themes of much of the writing that appeared at that time. As thinkers increasingly began turning a critical eye towards accepted beliefs and practices to illuminate the social injustices and injuries to personal freedom that pervaded their societies.

In the tradition established by literary heavyweights who came before, modern writers of all stripes and backgrounds have continued to entertain and to confront the social, cultural, and psychological realities of the timesincluding everything from racial identity to war to technologywith their own flair and insight.

Biographies of 19th-century authors from around the world, including discussion of their major works and the literary conventions of their respective times and places.