This groundbreaking new source of international scope defines the essay as nonfictional prose texts of between one and 50 pages in length. The more than 500 entries by 275 contributors include entries on nationalities, various categories of essays such as generic (such as sermons, aphorisms), individual major works, notable writers, and periodicals that created a market for essays, and particularly famous or significant essays. The preface details the historical development of the essay, and the alphabetically arranged entries usually include biographical sketch, nationality, era, selected writings list, additional readings, and anthologies
"Scholars and students will find this resource a most useful and welcome addition to academic library collections." --
Booklist/RBB"This is the first encyclopedia devoted entirely to the essay in all its many forms...This is an excellent scholarly book that belongs in any library that supports belles-lettres." --
Library Journal"Indispensable; highly recommended for general and academic readers, all levels." --
Choice"A substantive reference, this work is highly recommended for all collections with a serious interest in literature." --
American Reference Books Annual"All collegiate and research collections, or indeed any institution interested in developing a quality reference collection on literature, should acquire and publicize this volume." --
Reference & User Services Quarterly"Must be regarded as the last work on essayists and their works... an impressive volume of which the editor, the contributors and the publishers may be justly proud." --
Reference Reviews
