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These famous British writers have penned some of the best novels that have stood the test of time. In this article, you’ll find out who these legendary British writers are and their timeless pieces.

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Are you looking for an exciting book to read during your free mornings or afternoons? These famous British writers have penned some of the best novels that have stood the test of time. In this article, you'll find out who these legendary British writers are and their timeless pieces.

Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)

While she only produced six novels, Jane Austen remains one of the most famous British writers ever to exist. Her writing revolves around relatable situations like romance, comedy, economic issues, family conflict, and more. She was also one of the renowned writers to use a new writing style.

Here are Jane Austen's famous novels:

Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870)

Charles Dickens is one of the most remarkable English authors. His writing career began when he worked as a journalist. He also wrote sketches called " sketches by Boz." Dickens then wrote 15 novels, all of which remain popular today.

Here are some of his best novels and short stories:

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

You've got to admit that the name William Shakespeare might not be entirely new to you. This is because he was one of the greatest English poets and writers of all time!

Fun Fact: William Shakespeare was part of a company called Lord Chamberlain's Men. Together, they performed for Queen Elizabeth and were later called the King's Men after the queen died.

His plays are still famous and are performed all over the world for different audiences. Some of his most famous pieces include:

Ian Fleming (1908 - 1964)

Known for his James Bond novel series, Ian Lancaster Fleming was one of the greatest British authors. What inspired Ian Fleming's books was his own life as a British Naval Intelligence Officer.

During his lifetime, he also worked as a stockbroker, journalist, and foreign manager at the London Sunday Times. Ian Fleming later moved to Jamaica, where he wrote novels and short stories.

Some of his works, like Thunderball, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger have been adapted into modern-day movies.

George Eliot (1819 - 1890)

Would you believe that George Eliot was not a man but a woman? George Eliot was the writing name of Mary Ann Evans. She was one of the most renowned British writers during the Victorian era.

Fun Fact: Queen Victoria actually read and enjoyed Adam Bede, one of the novels that Mary Ann Evans wrote.

Why did she choose a male pen name, you ask? MaryAnn Evans wrote under a pseudonym because she felt that women writers were stereotyped and never taken seriously at the time.

Below are some of the books that George Eliot is known for.

Agatha Christie (1890 - 1976)

Have you ever read a book so thrilling that you didn't notice the time pass? This would be the perfect description of Agatha Christie's crime novels. Her work is so engulfing that it earned her the name "Queen of Crime."

Hailed as one of the most famous British writers by critics and fans, Christie wrote 14 short stories, 66 detective novels, and one renowned play, The Mouse Trap.

Some of her popular books are:

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930)

This famous British writer was known for his detective character Sherlock Holmes, but did you know he was a physician?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle studied medicine at the University of Edinburg and later became a physician on a ship that occasionally traveled to West Africa. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle later gave up medicine and became a full-time author.

Here are several of his best books:

Charlotte Bronte (1816 - 1865)

Known for her classic novel , Charlotte Bronte remains one of the most famous British writers of the Victorian era. Written at a misogynistic time when women had low places in society, Jane Eyre represents the afflictions women faced. Charlotte Bronte further went on to write several novels and poems.

Fun Fact: Emily Bronte, Anne Bronte, and Charlotte Bronte are sisters!

Some of Charlotte Bronte's famous novels include:

William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850)

William Wordsworth is famous for his enthralling poems that revolutionized literature. His romantic poetry is ahead of time because it relates to ordinary situations.

One of his most famous poems is Lyrical Ballads which he wrote with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Here are some of his famous poems.

Daniel Defoe (1660 - 1731)

Daniel Defoe penned over 300 journals and novels. He wrote about different aspects of life, including psychology, crime, politics, religion, and more. His most famous novel Robinson Crusoe earned him fame.

Other popular Defoe books include:

Geoffrey Chaucer (1340s - 1400)

Considered one of the pioneers of English literature, Geoffrey Chaucer was an extraordinary poet and author. He authored one of the most famous books of all time; the Canterbury Tales.

He revolutionized English literature and is known as the "Father of English Poetry." Chaucer was a diplomat and a member of parliament. Apart from Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer published other poems and books, including:

Lewis Carroll (1832 - 1898)

Lewis Carroll, or Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was a famous English writer and poet. He is known for his Alice in Wonderland. He later wrote Through the Looking Glass, showcasing Alice's further adventures. Below is more of Lewis Carroll's work.

Ian McEwan (1948)

Ian Russell McEwan is popular for his novels, including Amsterdam, Enduring Love, and Atonement. McEwan studied English at the University of Sussex and attained an English literature degree. He then pursued his master's degree at the University of East Anglia.

Ian McEwan kick-started his career by writing short stories. He has won several awards for his books, including the Somerset Maugham Award, Man Booker Prize, and the Whitbread Book Award.

Apart from the three books we've mentioned earlier, Ian McEwan also wrote:

J.R.R Tolkien (1892 - 1973)

Have you ever thought of the face behind your favorite fantasy films, and The Lord of The Rings? Well, you found him! Any best fantasy author list wouldn't be complete without J.R.R. Tolkien. As a matter of fact, his novels have influenced many modern fantasy writers.

Tolkien's famous books include:

Roald Dahl (1903 - 1950)

Who is behind some of the nostalgic tales you read as a child? It's no other than Roald Dahl! Dahl is one of the most famous British authors known for his children's stories. He sold over 300 million copies of his books worldwide. His stories continue to inspire children all over the world.

Here are some of Roald Dahl's remarkable books.

George Orwell (1903 - 1950)

George Orwell is famous for his novels and Animal Farm. But did you know that this British author's real name is Eric Arthur Blair? Blair was born in India but spent most of his time in England. He began his writing career under the pseudonym George Orwell because he didn't like his real name and thought his parents would be embarrassed by his content.

In addition to Animal Farm and 1984, Orwell also wrote:

Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)

Are you yearning for a realist novel that helps you understand some of the daily struggles of everyday life? Consider reading one of Thomas Hardy's novels. His books revolve around hardships that the working class often faces.

Thomas Hardy was an architect apprentice who later left the field to focus on his poetry and novels. Before he died, Thomas Hardy had produced countless poems and written several books. Some of his most famous publications include:

John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)

John Stuart Mill left a mark in English Literature with his popular books and views about society. He was a famous philosopher and economist who advocated for the education of everyone regardless of their social standing.

John Stuart Mill believed in the utilitarianism theory; actions that result in happiness are right, while those that result in suffering are wrong. Here are some of the most famous works of John Stuart Mill.

Emily Bronte (1818 -1848)

Although she wrote only one novel, Emily Bronte is one of the most famous British writers. Her book Wuthering Heights is considered a classic in today's literature.

Aside from being a novelist, Emily Bronte wrote several poems under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. She concealed her identity to avoid scrutiny due to her gender.

Below are some of her famous poems.

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19 Famous British Writers and Their Legendary Novels - Capitalize My Title

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From Dickens and Shakespeare to Jane Austen, these famous British writers are renowned not only in the United Kingdom but across the globe.

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A list of the top British Writers who make up our great literary landscape, from William Shakespeare to Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

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Britain - The Official Magazine | Best of British History, Royal Family,Travel and Culture

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TWe list the top British writers who make up our great literary landscape, from William Shakespeare to Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

The Bard is the most famous of British writers. The playwright is still commemorated for having coined nearly 1,700 of the words and phrases we still use today. He began as a playwright and as an actor in London although he is as known for his birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon where many of his plays are still performed.

Shakespeare died in 1616 leaving most of his estate to his daughter Susanna. The only mention of his wife, Anne Hathaway, in his last will and testament was to leave her his "second best bed".

Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Paving the way for female British writers everywhere, for a woman to write, and to write about women, in her time was not the 'done thing'. It comes as no surprise to hear that the name we know so well today, Jane Austen, published her novels anonymously.

Her books deal with the lives of the upper and middle classes in England. Sense and Sensibility came first, but all her books were a resounding success - Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion. While Pride and Prejudice was famously described by Austen as her 'darling child' and remains a national favourite. Her house in Chawton in Hampshire is open to visit.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

From A Christmas Carol to Oliver Twist, it is difficult not to recognise one of Charles Dickens' iconic tales. The Victorian writer is quintessential of his time.

He dealt with the struggles of contemporary life with unforgettable characters. Dickens was also a lover of theatre - both writing and performing - and performed for Queen Victoria in 1851. His birthplace museum in Portsmouth is open for visitors.

Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855)

The eldest of the Brontë sisters, Charlotte outlived both her sisters and their successes. Jane Eyre, her most famous novel, created an enduring image of the wild moors of Yorkshire and introduced her criticism of society's treatment of women. She did not actively seek to defy the roles set for women at the time. Instead she used her words in a modest feminist stand against the times.

George Eliot (1819-1880)

Hiding behind her pen name, George Eliot, Mary Ann Evans wanted to be taken seriously as a novelist at a time when women's writing was often associated with romantic novels.

She met her partner George Henry Lewes through her literary circle in London. As he was married, their relationship was shunned by friends and family. They lived together despite the scandal. Her most famous novel, Middlemarch helped her to gain social acceptance through her psychological insights.

CS Lewis (1898-1963)

Born in Northern Ireland, Lewis studied at Oxford University. After serving as a soldier in WW1, he settled into life as a professor first at Oxford and then Cambridge university. Although renowned for his children's fantasy tales, he also wrote profusely on religion and theology.

However, his first book in his Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, released in 1950, remains one of the most beloved of his published works.

George Orwell (1903-1950)

Born Eric Arthur Blair, Orwell adopted his pen name shortly before his first book in 1933 called Down and Out in Paris and London.

By the time he published his first big novel, Animal Farm in 1945, he was an established, and indeed prolific, journalist.

He had dealt with British colonies, unemployed miners, civil wars and communism in his work - all of which had a profound impact on his writing. Animal Farm shows his anti-Stalin beliefs through a political, farmyard fable. Several years later Nineteen Eighty-Four came out and secured his longevity as an author.

Ian Fleming (1908-1964)

The writer of the Bond novels created a winning framework for the world of spy literature.

However, he did not begin to create and develop the Bond character until the age of 43. After a successful career working in newspapers, as a broker and in Naval Intelligence - he settled in his house in Jamaica where Bond was born. After writing Casino Royale, the first adventure of James Bond, he continued to publish 13 more titles. They have all been played out in iconic blockbuster hits since. Diverging from the adult scene just once, he wrote the story of the flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for his only son Caspar.

Roald Dahl (1916-1990)

British novelist, Roald Dahl, has straddled both the adult short story and the children's story genre. He is certainly one of the most-loved British writers of all time.

Many believe his first book to be James and the Giant Peach, but it was in fact a picture book called The Gremlins. It was adapted from the script for the potential, but unrealised, Walt Disney film. He did not publish another children's book until he was a father. He decided to concentrate on his short stories for adults, which he later continued alongside his prolific books. Dahl created many wonderful characters such as the BFG, the Twits and Willy Wonka in his children's books. He also wrote in a magical 'whizz-popping' language that still enthrals readers.
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We list the top 10 British writers who make up our great literary landscape, from William Shakespeare to Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond

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British literature goes far beyond the country manors and moody moors of the nineteenth century. Here are twelve fantastic novels from some of the most exciting contemporary novelists across the pond that every self-respecting Anglophile should read.

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As a lifelong Anglophile, I have worshipped at the altar of Austen, Brontë, and Dickens ever since I received my first copy of Pride and Prejudice in the fourth grade. But British literature goes far beyond the country manors and moody moors of the nineteenth century. Here are twelve fantastic novels from some of the most exciting contemporary novelists across the pond that every self-respecting Anglophile should read.

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12 Contemporary British Novels We Can't Live Without

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As a lifelong Anglophile, I have worshipped at the altar of Austen, Brontë, and Dickens ever since I received my first copy of Pride and Prejudice in the fourth grade. But British literature goes far beyond the country manors and moody moors of the nineteenth century.

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4. 18 Best British authors you must read.

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4. 18 Best British authors you must read.

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From William Shakespeare to modern-day authors like J. K. Rowling, England has brought many exceptional writers to the forefront of modern literature.

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5. Great Authors of the British Isles: 20th Century Novelist

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5. Great Authors of the British Isles: 20th Century Novelist

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The abandonment of Victorian complacency in Britain resulted in an outpouring of artistic genius throughout the 20th century.

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Great Authors of the British Isles: 20th Century Novelists (Accessible Preview)

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Shakespeare, Dickens and more... Britain's literary history is world class, and Richard speaks to experts about some of the country's greatest writers.

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Questions and answers

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British Authors - The Best Pub Quiz Questions

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The Life and Works of English Authors Quiz

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Take this Literature quiz at Encyclopedia Britannica to test your knowledge of Charles Dickens and other English authors.