def _atomise_author(author):

    """
    Convert author from whatever it is to a dictionary representing an
    atom:Person construct.
    """

    if type(author) is dict:
        return author
    else:
        if author.startswith("http://") or author.startswith("www"):
            # This is clearly a URI
            return {"uri" : author}
        elif "@" in author and "." in author:
            # This is most probably an email address
            return {"email" : author}
        else:
            # Must be a name
            return {"name" : author}