This set contains in-depth analytical reference guides to the major writers of world literature. This 8 volume set contains 602 essays that discuss individual dramatists and cover overview topics. Authors covered represent all time periods and all areas of the world. Each essay contains birth and death dates, a list of the author's major dramatic works, a brief survey of the author's publications in literary forms other than drama, and a summary of the writer's professional achievements and awards. An extended biographical sketch centers on the writer's development. Following this discussion is a list of major publication in fields other than drama and an annotated bibliography of critical works about the author.