Major Tudor Authors: A Bio-Bibliographical Critical Sourcebook

The Tudor era (1485-1603) was one of the most culturally significant periods in history. Under three generations of Tudor rulers, the era witnessed the advent of humanism, the birth of the Reformation, and the rise of the British Empire. The literature of the period is marked by complexity of thought and form and reflects the political, religious, and cultural changes of the era. This reference book surveys the literature of Tudor England. Included are alphabetically arranged entries for nearly 100 authors who wrote between 1485 and 1603. Some figures covered are widely taught, such as Shakespeare, Donne, and Spenser. Others are less well known, such as Edward Fairfax and Abraham Fraunce. The work includes entries for notable women writers of the period, many of whom have been neglected until recent years. Also included are entries for continental writers such as Ariosto, Tasso, Calvin, and Erasmus, whose writings were influential in England. Entries are written by expert contributors and contain valuable bibliographies of primary and secondary sources.

Included are entries for nearly 100 people who wrote between 1485 and 1603. The entries are written by expert contributors and are arranged alphabetically to facilitate use. Some of the authors profiled are major canonical figures, such as Shakespeare, Spenser, and Donne. But the volume also includes a significant number of entries for women writers, whose work has been unjustly disregarded until recent years. While most of the authors were from England, the volume contains entries on figures such as Erasmus, who, though born in another country, wrote important works in England, and on writers such as Machiavelli, Calvin, Ariosto, and Tasso, whose works were almost immediately adopted, translated, or otherwise made part of Tudor culture. Each entry provides a brief biography, which is followed by a discussion of major works and themes, a review of the author's critical reception, and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources.

Expert contributors profile the achievements of nearly 100 authors who wrote between 1485 and 1603.

Booknews

Provides biographies and bibliographies of scientific writers, authors of music treatises, often marginalized, and some philosophical and mystical writers as well. Each entry reviews the author's critical reception over the centuries, and concludes with a statement on his or her relative significance in the Tudor era and in world literature. There are also two bibliographies: one on the authors' primary texts and manuscripts, and the other on critical studies of their works and biographies. Authors were selected based on their ability to consider opposing sides of controversies and debates, and for their attempts to advocate peace. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

ALAN HAGER is Associate Professor of English at the State University of New York College at Cortland.