Introduction
Classic literature authors have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, influencing our understanding of human nature, society, and the transformative power of storytelling in the process. Classic literature authors’ timeless words continue to have an impact on readers of all ages and cultures, transcending both time and society’s boundaries. In this article, we will take a look at the lives and works of 14 influential classic literature authors who are responsible for some of the most well-known and enduring works in the history of the written word.
William Shakespeare
There can be no comprehensive discussion of classic literary authors without mentioning William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s plays, including “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” and “Macbeth,” explore timeless themes like love, betrayal, ambition, and tragedy. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest English-language playwright of all time. His flawless command of the language and intricate character development continue to captivate audiences and have spawned an almost infinite number of adaptations and interpretations.
This short encapsulation from CrashCourse of Shakespeare’s life and work is one of our favorites. It’s hilarious and contains some of the more bizarre facts and anecdotes about the bard’s life and career we’ve ever heard:
H.G. Wells is thought of as one of the fathers of modern science fiction and a giant among classic literature authors. He was born on September 21, 1866, in the small town of Bromley, England. As a boy growing up, Wells loved reading. As he matured, his love of reading influenced his style and ideas for future stories. His books feature invading aliens, invisibility, and space exploration, and in some of his works, Wells even predicted what the future would hold for humans on Earth.
His first novel, The Time Machine, grabbed the attention of readers around the world. Never before had a novel explored the idea of traveling through time. The story was an instant success, and it secured Wells name among the classic literature authors of the modern era.
Jane Austen
Many readers adore Jane Austen’s novels, such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, for their astute social observations, clever dialogue, and endearing characters. Austen’s works provide readers with insight into the social conventions of the time as well as the challenges that women faced. She has become an enduring figure in the world of literature due to her acute insights into human relationships and the search for love.
For some minute detail about Austen’s life and work (so, you know, you can be the hit of the next book club meeting), check out this exhaustive list from Radio Canada. Whether she detested the Prince Regent or that her father was always in debt may or may not shed any light for you on her literary endeavors, but you may score an extra point or two at Thursday Trivia Night.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet, and travel writer who is widely known for his works such as Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island. His books have been translated into more than 50 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. He was one of the most influential writers of the 19th century, and his work has had a lasting impact on literature.
His stories explored themes such as good versus evil, morality, identity, and human nature. His writing style was unique in that it combined elements of adventure fiction with moral philosophy. Despite the serious bronchial ailments that plagued him for most of his life, Stevenson was an avid traveler. He was the first Western writer to visit Palestine, and he wrote about his travels there in his book of poems, A Child’s Garden of Verses. He died on December 3, 1894 at the age of 44 from a heart attack in his island home of Samoa.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens is inextricably linked to Victorian England and the problems it faced. His novels, including Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, and A Christmas Carol vividly depict the struggles of the working class as well as the stark divide that exists between the wealthy and the less fortunate. The literary works of Charles Dickens have endured as timeless classics due to his masterful storytelling, vivid character development, and insightful social commentary.
If you’d like to get your kids interested in Dickens in anticipation of maybe handing them an abridged version of one of his many masterpieces, check out these two animated shorts at awesomestories.com. One tells the story of Dickens from birth to death in about four and a half minutes. The other is a brief introduction to his novel Hard Times.
Anne Sewell
Anna Sewell was born March 30, 1820, in the small town of Great Yarmouth, England. After an accident left her basically unable to walk, she spent many hours driving her father to and from the train station in a horse-drawn carriage. Outside of these trips, she almost never left the house. Her mother home-schooled her and her brother Phillip.
Sewell spent the last eight years of her life confined to her house, writing a tale told from the perspective of a beautiful black horse. This was a unique and revolutionary idea for a book. Anna Sewell was over 50 years old when she wrote Black Beauty, her one and only published piece of writing. She passed away only five months after the book was published. It is one of the most popular and important books for children ever written. In a way, Sewell spent her whole life preparing to write this classic, and it is her legacy.
Mark Twain
Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, was a prolific American classic author. He was well-known for his witty and biting satire as well as his storytelling ability. Twain’s most well-known books, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both explore ideas about freedom, identity, and the inconsistencies that exist in American society. He is regarded as a significant figure among classic literature authors, and American authors specifically, because of his distinct narrative voice and penetrating social criticism.
And now for something completely different—there have been many Mark Twain impersonators and one man shows over the years, but our very favorite is Gabe Diani. He brings Twain to life in the 21st century, and the result is absolutely hilarious. We challenge you to keep a straight face while he “Twain ‘splains” Star Wars, auditions for the latest Spider Man movie, and declares outright confoundment with today’s world.
Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre is a literary masterpiece that defied societal norms and expectations of the time. The story of a young woman who was fiercely self-sufficient and driven by her passions called into question traditional notions of femininity and social class. Brontë’s exploration of love, morality, and the struggle for self-identity continues to resonate with readers, cementing her place in the canon of classic literature authors.
Free School does a great job of presenting the lives of the Brontë sisters in a palatable way for kids in this video:
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s works delve into the complexities of morality as well as the darker recesses of the human psyche. Characters in novels such as Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov grapple with themes of guilt, redemption, and existential crisis. Due to the psychological depth, philosophical musings, and profound insights into human nature that he offers in his writing, Dostoevsky is widely regarded as one of the best Russian classic literature authors of all time.
Dostoevsky’s life was full of so much suffering and darkness, all of which can be seen reflected in his work. Everything from gambling problems, epilepsy, nearly being executed by the Tsar—he checks all the boxes for the “most traumatized author” award. Pour yourself a vodka and check out this list of a few of his hardships from bookstellyouwhy.com.
Jack London
Jack London was born in San Francisco, California, on January 12, 1876. Much like the character Buck in his masterpiece The Call of the Wild, Jack London led a life of adventure, struggle, and perseverance. From his hardscrabble days in California to his later years as a world-famous writer, London worked hard. As a young man, he pirated oysters, shoveled coal, rode trains, and worked on a sealing ship. He spent a short time in prison and sought his fortune in the Klondike gold fields. All the while, he devoured books and never stopped writing.
His writing was rejected by publishers many times, but he never gave up. At 27 years old, he published The Call of the Wild. The book was a massive success and brought him international fame, confirming him as one of the greatest classic literature authors.
Virginia Woolf
The literary world will never be the same again as a result of Virginia Woolf’s progressive approach to writing and feminist viewpoints. Several of her books, including Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, employ the technique of stream-of-consciousness narration to delve deeper into the inner feelings and thoughts of her characters. Woolf’s research into gender roles, individuality, and the complexities of human consciousness helped to establish her as a pivotal figure in the evolution of modernist literature and a giant among classic literature authors.
This video for Ted Ed makes a short and sweet argument for not being afraid of Virginia Woolf:
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway’s spare and straightforward writing style had a significant impact on the development of modern literature. His novels, such as The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms, depict the disillusionment and trauma of war, as well as the search for meaning and the struggle to maintain personal integrity. Hemingway’s terse prose, striking imagery, and investigation of masculinity in his writing continue to resonate with readers all over the world.
There have been several attempts to bring Hemingway to the big screen. This long-lost film adaptation of The Old Man and the Sea, starring Anthony Quinn, is worth checking out on YouTube:
Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy’s monumental work War and Peace is a literary masterpiece that delves into the lives of the Russian aristocracy during Napoleon’s reign. Because of the author’s profound insights into human nature as well as his exploration of love, war, and the pursuit of happiness, Tolstoy’s works are considered timeless classics. Tolstoy’s philosophical and moral musings in his writings continue to elicit thought and reflection.
The length of War and Peace has been the butt of many jokes over the years, and some readers may have found themselves scared off for that reason. Ted Ed makes the case for why taking the time with the massive tome is well worth the effort:
Emily Dickinson
Despite being largely unknown during her lifetime, Emily Dickinson is now regarded as one of the most celebrated American poets and classic literature authors. Her poetry is introspective and deeply personal, delving into topics such as nature, love, death, and the complexities of the human soul. Dickinson’s distinctive poetic style, which stands out for its succinctness and emotional intensity, continues to enthrall readers and firmly establishes her place in conventional literary canons.
We love this take on Dickinson from CrashCourse, if not just for the fact that John Greene is so dang entertaining:
Conclusion
Classic literature authors have had a profound impact on the literary landscape and on our lives through their insightful observations, enduring themes, and compelling narratives. Their contributions to literature are immeasurable, ranging from Shakespeare’s and Austen’s masterworks to Dickens’s and Dostoevsky’s profound narratives, to name a few examples. These well-known authors continue to enthrall and inspire readers of all ages by using their words to weave a tapestry of human experience that is unaffected by the passage of time. When reading classic literature authors, one is invited to delve into the complexities of human emotion, the tangled web of society, and the enduring power of the written word.
Find out how much fun it is to read with your kids by looking through our collection of classic children’s books that have been edited and illustrated just for kids. Our abridged versions of some of the most beloved books of all time are a great way to introduce kids to the world of classic literature authors and will widen your avid reader’s literary horizon. The beautiful illustrations and simple language in these classic books will captivate even the most reluctant readers and will help them develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Let’s start building a love of reading!
