This volume investigates the changing definitions of the author, what it has meant historically to be an 'author', and the impact that this has had on literary culture. Andrew Bennett presents a clearly-structured discussion of the various theoretical debates surrounding authorship, exploring such concepts as authority, ownership, originality, and the 'death' of the author. Accessible, yet stimulating, this study offers the ideal introduction to a core notion in critical theory.

Series Editor's Preface, Introduction, Shakespeare in Love, What is an Author?, The Author, 1. The 'Death' of the Author, 2. Authority, Ownership, Originality, 3 The Romantic Author, 4. Formalism, Feminism, Historicism, 5. Collaboration, 6. The Question of Literature, Appendix: An Author Lexicon, Bibliography, Index