A Brief Handbook of English Authors

A Brief Handbook of English Authors, written by Oscar Fay Adams and first published in 1808, is a reference work that provides concise biographical and bibliographical information about notable English authors. This handbook serves as an accessible resource for readers and students seeking quick references rather than extensive biographies. Adams highlights the concept of 'conventional immortality' in literature, noting how many authors are remembered more for circumstance than literary merit, thus emphasizing the complexities of literary legacy.