What is in a standard Author page template and how would I go about linking to it? I would like a page that lists an authors previous posts and information but I don't know where to start.
Can someone provide me with the basic functionality of an author page so that I can then edit it and learn from it accordingly?
You link a Page to a Template when you create/edit a Page via the Page Template field. The Template has to exist for you to select it.
Here's some useful info Author Templates, Templates, Template Hierarchy, and Template Tags.
Also very useful is Kaf's plugin Get Author Profile:
http://guff.szub.net/2005/01/31/get-author-profile/