The design of the first volume was maintained, with entries arranged alphabetically and composed with an eye toward factual introduction and guidance in research. Contributors were asked to conduct their research with two principal goals in mind: first, to provide a concise summary of literary inf luences; and second, to provide clear direction for further research. Each entry includes three components: an introductory section provides basic biographical data; The body of each article is devoted to an assessment of specific literary works and authors known to have influenced the subject; A bibliography includes principal archival collections, standard biographical resources, and published materials relating specifically to the subject’s reading, etc.