17 Famous Writers in English Literature You Should Learn From

Becoming a successful writer isn’t an easy accomplishment. You must be dedicated to the craft and strive to improve your writing every single day. As long as you possess the writing prowess though, it isn’t impossible to become a successful author. It also helps to draw inspiration from famous writers in English Literature who have excelled in their respective genres. Learning from such revered individuals helps you to improve the quality of your work as well as master some writing tricks.

17 Famous Writers

Here are 17 successful writers across various literary genres that you should aspire to emulate:

1. William Shakespeare

An Iconic poet and playwright, Shakespeare is revered for his contribution to literature and also regarded as one of the pioneering writers in the modern age. His works remain relevant today and his writing style is widely studied by both academics and literary enthusiasts.

2. Jonathan Swift

Famous for creating fascinating pieces of literature like the adventure masterpiece, Gulliver Travels, Swift is an acclaimed author as well as a satirist who excelled in incorporating thought provoking humor into his works.

3. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Known for creating perhaps the most iconic detective character in literature, Doyle remains a point of reference for writers looking to branch into the detective mystery genre. His Sherlock Holmes collections are and will always be groundbreaking pieces of literature in the popular genre.

4. Mark Twain

Who else is a better inspiration for a newbie in writing if not the man highly regarded as the “father of American Literature?” Works of literature that has seen Mark Twain elevated to this impressive status include Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

5. Victor Hugo

Known as one of literature’s all-time greats, Victor Hugo’s works are both mesmerizing and impeccable, leading to their adaptation to other art forms. Classics like Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris remain relevant today and have been consumed by millions across the world.

6. Jane Austen

She is an English author renowned for writing timeless pieces like Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Sense and Sensibility. Her writing style incorporates social commentary into compelling forms of romantic fiction.

7. Charles Dickens

A social critic as well as an outstanding writer, Charles Dickens is hailed as a master storyteller who is able to use important social issues as the focal point of a literary plot. Literary pieces like David Copperfield and Oliver Twist are among his best works and are very relevant in today’s social terrain.

8. J.R.R. Tolkien

One of the birthing fathers of the epic fantasy genre, Tolkien is a source of inspiration for aspiring writers in the genre as well as other famous writers like Patrick Rothfuss and Brandon Sanderson. His Lord of the Rings series has entertained fans across the globe whether in literary or cinematic form.

9. F. Scott Fitzgerald

He is one of America’s greatest literary products. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s works are centered on American values and materialism. The Great Gatsby remains one of America’s best modern classics while “Tender is the Night” is also another well respected work of his.

10. J.K.Rowling

No other author in recent times has made as much impact in the Middle School/Young Adult Fantasy genre as J.K.Rowling. Her Harry Potter series have transformed from a collection of 6 enchanting books to a multi-billion franchise. Her success can be linked to her ability to create a fascinating yet believable world with the most modest of prose you will ever encounter in literature.

11. Stephen King

Stephen King isn’t just a renowned best-selling author, he is a writer who is capable of making the most bizarre of literary plots believable. His ability to also write across multiple genres is another attribute only few can replicate. His famous works include The Shining, Pet Cemetery, It, and Salem’s Lot.

12. George R.R Martin

There are only few famous writers in the fantasy genre that can try to match the legacy of Tolkien, and G.R.R Martin certainly ranks high among those writers. His epic fantasy masterpiece, A Song of Ice and Fire, is a fascinating example of how to incorporate numerous important characters into a fantasy book and still make it engaging.

13. Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams’ best-selling sci-fi adventure novel, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, is a template for aspiring writers who wish to excel in the sci-fi genre. Adams, who is renowned for his humorous writing style and near-factual depiction of sci-fi elements, is indeed one of the shining lights in modern sci-fi and also one of the best to learn from if you want to hone your skills in the craft.

14. Roald Dahl

There are only few writers that can stand on the same pedestal as Roald Dahl in children’s literature. His works incorporate modern settings with bewildering fantasy elements, which helps readers apply imagination creatively. Literary classics like James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory remain relevant even today and some have been adapted to the big screens.

15. George Orwell

Orwell is widely known for producing one of the most engaging literary pieces with political undertone. His incredible masterpiece, Animal Farm, remains relevant today as a representation of various political dynamics presently in play.

16. Ernest Hemingway

Not many writers have a writing app named after them, which is why Hemingway isn’t just a famous writer but an icon in modern literature. Renowned for writing with prose that is both subtle and effective, he is the focal point of many writing courses offered today. If you want to excel in the craft, then Hemingway is one writer you must learn from.

17. Lexis Carroll

Despite being an accomplished mathematician, Lexis Carroll succeeded in making a name for himself in literature with amazing literary pieces that are imaginative and engaging. Thanks to his creative writing style, the literary world is blessed with famous works like Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and of course, some of the finest poetry ever written.

Conclusion

If you want to be the best in writing, you must learn from the best in the craft. And these 17 famous writers are rank up there as the greatest authors the literary world has ever seen.