Profiles of Writers in Literature
Read about writers from around the world including Mark Twain, Aphra Behn, Edith Wharton, William Shakespeare, and others. In these profiles, you'll read where and when the writer was born, famous works of literature, where, when and how the author died, and a few famous quotes. Read more about important figures in literature.
Austen, Jane
(1775-1817) British writer. Jane Austen is now famous for her way with words, in describing the society and people of her time. At Austen is known for "Pride and Prejudice," "Mansfield Par," "Northanger Abbey," and other works.
(1775-1817) British writer. Jane Austen is now famous for her way with words, in describing the society and people of her time. At Austen is known for "Pride and Prejudice," "Mansfield Par," "Northanger Abbey," and other works.
Behn, Aphra
(1640-1689) British writer. Aphra Behn is one of the most famous women writers in literature, partly because she was one of the first, but also because of the controversies that have surrounded her life and works. Read more about the life and works of Aphra Behn.
(1640-1689) British writer. Aphra Behn is one of the most famous women writers in literature, partly because she was one of the first, but also because of the controversies that have surrounded her life and works. Read more about the life and works of Aphra Behn.
Blake, William
(1757-1827) British writer. William Blake was an artist, mystic, and poet, who is often considered the first of the great English Romantic poets. Read more about the life and works of William Blake.
(1757-1827) British writer. William Blake was an artist, mystic, and poet, who is often considered the first of the great English Romantic poets. Read more about the life and works of William Blake.
Bradstreet, Anne
(c1612-1672) American writer. Anne Bradstreet was one of the greatest poets of the 17th century. Read more about the life and works of Anne Bradstreet.
(c1612-1672) American writer. Anne Bradstreet was one of the greatest poets of the 17th century. Read more about the life and works of Anne Bradstreet.
Browning, Elizabeth Barrett
(1806-1861) British writer. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a Victorian poet, famous for works like "Sonnets from the Portuguese." She was the wife of Robert Browning, who is famous for "My Last Duchess." Read more about the life and works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
(1806-1861) British writer. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a Victorian poet, famous for works like "Sonnets from the Portuguese." She was the wife of Robert Browning, who is famous for "My Last Duchess." Read more about the life and works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Chekhov, Anton Pavlovich
(1860-1904) Russian Writer. Anton Chekhov is famous for plays like "Three Sisters" (1901), and "The Cherry Orchard." Although Chekhov wrote hundreds of short stories, he's most well-known for his plays. Read more about the life and works of Anton Chekhov.
(1860-1904) Russian Writer. Anton Chekhov is famous for plays like "Three Sisters" (1901), and "The Cherry Orchard." Although Chekhov wrote hundreds of short stories, he's most well-known for his plays. Read more about the life and works of Anton Chekhov.
Chopin, Kate
(1851-1904) American writer. Kate Chopin became famous for "The Awakening," though she was largely forgotten after her book was banned. Read more about the life and works of Kate Chopin.
(1851-1904) American writer. Kate Chopin became famous for "The Awakening," though she was largely forgotten after her book was banned. Read more about the life and works of Kate Chopin.
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor
(1772-1834) British writer. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a poet, critic and philosopher, perhaps most famous for "Lyrical Ballads" (1798), a collection of poems, co-authored with William Wordsworth. His first volume of verse was published in 1796, but "Lyrical Ballads" revolutionized the era, ushering in a a whole new generation of writers in the Romantic Period.
(1772-1834) British writer. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a poet, critic and philosopher, perhaps most famous for "Lyrical Ballads" (1798), a collection of poems, co-authored with William Wordsworth. His first volume of verse was published in 1796, but "Lyrical Ballads" revolutionized the era, ushering in a a whole new generation of writers in the Romantic Period.
Célan, Paul (Paul Antschel)
(1920-1970) Romanian writer. Paul Célan was born Paul Antschel on November 23, 1920 in Romania, but he lived in France, and he wrote in German. He survived the Holocaust, but his parents were killed. Read more about the life and works of Paul Célan.
(1920-1970) Romanian writer. Paul Célan was born Paul Antschel on November 23, 1920 in Romania, but he lived in France, and he wrote in German. He survived the Holocaust, but his parents were killed. Read more about the life and works of Paul Célan.
Dickinson, Emily
(1830-1886) American writer. Emily Dickinson was not well-known during her lifetime, as she lived in seclusion in Amherst, Massachusetts. Dickinson wrote more than 1,800 poems. Read more about the life and works of Emily Dickison.
(1830-1886) American writer. Emily Dickinson was not well-known during her lifetime, as she lived in seclusion in Amherst, Massachusetts. Dickinson wrote more than 1,800 poems. Read more about the life and works of Emily Dickison.
Eliot, George (Mary Ann Evans)
(1819-1880) British writer. George Eliot was born Mary Ann Evans in Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire. Eliot's first collection, "Scenes Of Clerical Life," appeared in 1858; but she's more well-known for "Middlemarch." Read more about the life and times of George Eliot.
(1819-1880) British writer. George Eliot was born Mary Ann Evans in Chilvers Coton, Warwickshire. Eliot's first collection, "Scenes Of Clerical Life," appeared in 1858; but she's more well-known for "Middlemarch." Read more about the life and times of George Eliot.
Ferber, Edna
(1885-1968) American writer. Edna Ferber has been called "the greatest novelist of her day." She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1924 for "So Big," and she's also known for "Showboat" (1926), "Cimarron" (1929), "Giant" (1952), and "Ice Palace" (1958). Read more about the life and works of Edna Ferber.
(1885-1968) American writer. Edna Ferber has been called "the greatest novelist of her day." She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1924 for "So Big," and she's also known for "Showboat" (1926), "Cimarron" (1929), "Giant" (1952), and "Ice Palace" (1958). Read more about the life and works of Edna Ferber.
Gilman, Charlotte Perkins
(1860-1935) American writer. Charlotte Perkins Gilman is famous for her short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper," which is often read in literature survey courses, but she wrote a great many other works. Read more about the life and works of Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
(1860-1935) American writer. Charlotte Perkins Gilman is famous for her short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper," which is often read in literature survey courses, but she wrote a great many other works. Read more about the life and works of Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
Hauptmann, Gerhart
(1862-1946) German writer. Gerhart Johann Robert Hauptmann was born on November 15, 1862. Hauptmann's works include: "Before Sunrise" (1889), "Drayman Henschel," "Lonely Lives," "The Weavers," "Hannele" (1893), "The Sunken Bell" (1897), and "Atlantis." Read more about the life and works of Gerhart Johann Robert Hauptmann.
(1862-1946) German writer. Gerhart Johann Robert Hauptmann was born on November 15, 1862. Hauptmann's works include: "Before Sunrise" (1889), "Drayman Henschel," "Lonely Lives," "The Weavers," "Hannele" (1893), "The Sunken Bell" (1897), and "Atlantis." Read more about the life and works of Gerhart Johann Robert Hauptmann.
Hemingway, Ernest
(1899-1961) American writer. Ernest Hemingway was one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. He was famous for his novels, short stories and essays.
(1899-1961) American writer. Ernest Hemingway was one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. He was famous for his novels, short stories and essays.
Irving, Washington
(1783-1859) American writer. Washington Irving's pseudonyms included: Dietrich Knickerbocker, Jonathan Oldstyle, and Geoffrey Crayon. Washington Irving was a short story writer, famous for works like "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Read about the life and works of Washington Irving.
(1783-1859) American writer. Washington Irving's pseudonyms included: Dietrich Knickerbocker, Jonathan Oldstyle, and Geoffrey Crayon. Washington Irving was a short story writer, famous for works like "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Read about the life and works of Washington Irving.
Marvell, Andrew
(1621-1678) British writer. Andrew Marvell was one of the metaphysical poets, known for works like "To His Coy Mistress," "The Garden," "Bermudas," and "The Definition of Love." He was one of the greatest writers of the 17th century. Read more about the life and works of Andrew Marvell.
(1621-1678) British writer. Andrew Marvell was one of the metaphysical poets, known for works like "To His Coy Mistress," "The Garden," "Bermudas," and "The Definition of Love." He was one of the greatest writers of the 17th century. Read more about the life and works of Andrew Marvell.
Millay, Edna St. Vincent
(1892-1950) American writer. Edna St. Vincent Millay received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923 for "The Ballad of the Harp Weaver." Other works include: "Renascence" (1917) and "Second April" (1921). Read more about the life and works of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
(1892-1950) American writer. Edna St. Vincent Millay received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923 for "The Ballad of the Harp Weaver." Other works include: "Renascence" (1917) and "Second April" (1921). Read more about the life and works of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Mitchell, Margaret
(1900-1949) American writer. Margaret Mitchell was born on November 8, 1900 in Atlanta, Georgia. When she was 15, she wrote, "If I were a boy, I would try for West Point, if I could make it, or well I'd be a prize fighter - anything for the thrills." Instead, she became famous for writing "Gone With The Wind" (1936).
(1900-1949) American writer. Margaret Mitchell was born on November 8, 1900 in Atlanta, Georgia. When she was 15, she wrote, "If I were a boy, I would try for West Point, if I could make it, or well I'd be a prize fighter - anything for the thrills." Instead, she became famous for writing "Gone With The Wind" (1936).
Montgomery, Lucy Maud
(1874-1942) Canadian writer. Lucy Maud Montgomery was an educator, journalist, and novelist, who was famous for her "Anne of Green Gables" series, about an orphan taken in by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.
(1874-1942) Canadian writer. Lucy Maud Montgomery was an educator, journalist, and novelist, who was famous for her "Anne of Green Gables" series, about an orphan taken in by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.
Moore, Clement Clarke
(1779-1863) American writer. Clement Clarke Moore is perhaps most famous for "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which is also called "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Read more about the life and works of Clement Clarke Moore.
(1779-1863) American writer. Clement Clarke Moore is perhaps most famous for "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which is also called "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Read more about the life and works of Clement Clarke Moore.
O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)
O. Henry (pseudonym for William Sydney Porter) was born in on September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina; and he became famous for his short stories. Read more about the life and works of O. Henry.
O. Henry (pseudonym for William Sydney Porter) was born in on September 11, 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina; and he became famous for his short stories. Read more about the life and works of O. Henry.
Owen, Wilfred
(1893–1918) British writer. Wilfred Owen is an important 20th-century British writer, famous for poems like "Anthem for Doomed Youth" and other dramatic poems. Read more about the life and works of Wilfred Owen.
(1893–1918) British writer. Wilfred Owen is an important 20th-century British writer, famous for poems like "Anthem for Doomed Youth" and other dramatic poems. Read more about the life and works of Wilfred Owen.
Rossetti, Christina
(1830-1894) British writer. Christina Rossetti was part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and famous for "Goblin Market," "A Birthday," "When I Am Dead," and "Up-Hill." Read more about the life and works of Christina Rossetti.
(1830-1894) British writer. Christina Rossetti was part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and famous for "Goblin Market," "A Birthday," "When I Am Dead," and "Up-Hill." Read more about the life and works of Christina Rossetti.
Sappho (Psappha)
(c 610-570 BC) Greek writer. Sappho is one of the most famous Greek writers, known for the fragments that are left of her books of poetry. Read more about the life and works of Sappho.
(c 610-570 BC) Greek writer. Sappho is one of the most famous Greek writers, known for the fragments that are left of her books of poetry. Read more about the life and works of Sappho.
Shakespeare, William
(1564-1616) British writer. William Shakespeare is recognized as one of the greatest writers of all time, known for works like "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello," "The Tempest," and many other works. Read more about the life and works of William Shakespeare.
(1564-1616) British writer. William Shakespeare is recognized as one of the greatest writers of all time, known for works like "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Romeo and Juliet," "Othello," "The Tempest," and many other works. Read more about the life and works of William Shakespeare.
Shelley, Mary
(1797-1851) British writer. Famous for "Frankenstein," Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, and the wife of the Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Read more about the life and works of Mary Shelley.
(1797-1851) British writer. Famous for "Frankenstein," Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, and the wife of the Romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Read more about the life and works of Mary Shelley.
Shelley, Percy Bysshe
(1792-1822) British writer. Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the famous poets of the Romantic period of English poetry. He drew from mythological figures to explore his poetic vision. Read more about the life and works of Percy Bysshe Shelley.
(1792-1822) British writer. Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the famous poets of the Romantic period of English poetry. He drew from mythological figures to explore his poetic vision. Read more about the life and works of Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Twain, Mark (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
(1835-1910) American writer. Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) is one of the most famous writers in American literature. The work that first brought Twain literary acclaim was "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog" (also known as "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County") in 1865.
(1835-1910) American writer. Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) is one of the most famous writers in American literature. The work that first brought Twain literary acclaim was "Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog" (also known as "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County") in 1865.
Twain, Mark
(1835-1910) American writer. Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Missouri on November 17, 1835. Read more about Twain's life and works.
(1835-1910) American writer. Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Missouri on November 17, 1835. Read more about Twain's life and works.
Wharton, Edith
(1862-1937) American writer. Edith Wharton is an important figure in American literature, with works like "Ethan Frome," "Age of Innocence," "House of Mirth," and other works. She was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Read more about the life and works of Edith Wharton.
(1862-1937) American writer. Edith Wharton is an important figure in American literature, with works like "Ethan Frome," "Age of Innocence," "House of Mirth," and other works. She was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Read more about the life and works of Edith Wharton.
Whitman, Walt
(1819-1892) American writer. Walt Whitman is known for his famous, and controversial, collection of poems, "Leaves of Grass." Read more about the life and works of Walt Whitman.
(1819-1892) American writer. Walt Whitman is known for his famous, and controversial, collection of poems, "Leaves of Grass." Read more about the life and works of Walt Whitman.
Woolf, Virginia
(1882-1941) British writer. Virginia Woolf was born on January 25, 1882, in London. Woolf became one of the most prominent literary figures of the early 20th century, with novels like "Mrs. Dalloway" (1925), "Jacob's Room" (1922), "To the Lighthouse" (1927), and "The Waves" (1931). Read more about the life and works of Virginia Woolf.
(1882-1941) British writer. Virginia Woolf was born on January 25, 1882, in London. Woolf became one of the most prominent literary figures of the early 20th century, with novels like "Mrs. Dalloway" (1925), "Jacob's Room" (1922), "To the Lighthouse" (1927), and "The Waves" (1931). Read more about the life and works of Virginia Woolf.