A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Kazin is a compact dictionary that contains biographies and important facts about famous English writers. This book contains short but informative biographies of writers from the Middle Ages to modern times. Through this work, the reader can become familiar with a variety of literary figures, their works and their influence on English literature. "Abridged Biographical Dictionary of English Literature" is a useful reference for those who are interested in British literature and want to get a general idea of its prominent representatives.