English literature

This article is focused on English-language literature rather than the literature of England, so that it includes writers from Scotland, Wales, and the whole of Ireland, as well as literature in English from former British colonies, including the US. However, until the early 19th century, it only deals with the literature of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It does not include literature written in any other language than English. There is some discussion of literature in languages other than English from the United Kingdom in British literature.