Use the cumulative index in the highest numbered volume to find relevant articles. DAB is especially useful for information on authors not covered by American Writers or British Writers . Haverford does not own all the volumes in the series, but Swarthmore does have all volumes currently available. The DNB has long been the most important source for biographical information about deceased citizens of the British Isles and Great Britain's former colonies. It is dated in some respects but still reliable for its accounts of lives and for the primary sources cited in the bibliographies.
Various indexes accompany the set.
Includes essays on the history and traditions of oral and written literature as well as bio-critical articles on prominent recent writers. Blain et al ., eds. J. Summers, ed. Entries for national literatures, movements and periods, topics, and individual writers. Robert L. Ross, ed.