The Greatest Authors of All Time

Ever wondered who the greatest authors of all time are? We've analyzed 759 diverse book lists to create this comprehensive ranking of literary masters. Our algorithm considers several key factors to determine each author's position:

This system ensures that authors with multiple enduring works are recognized, while still giving weight to the quality of individual books. The rankings are automatically calculated and updated as new lists are added to our database.

51601. Amy Odell

American journalist and author.

Amy Odell's highest rated books
Cover of 'Gwyneth' by Amy Odell

51602. Aria Aber

Afghan-American poet and writer, author of the poetry collection "Hard Damage"; her work addresses family history, migration, and the aftermath of war.

Aria Aber's highest rated books
Cover of 'Good Girl' by Aria Aber

51603. E.A. Wallis Budge

E.A. Wallis Budge was a renowned British Egyptologist, Orientalist, and philologist who worked for the British Museum. He is best known for his numerous works on ancient Egyptian history, religion, and language, including translations of important texts such as the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

E.A. Wallis Budge's highest rated books

51604. Peter H. Gilmore

Peter H. Gilmore is an American author and the High Priest of the Church of Satan. He has written essays and books on Satanism and has been involved in the organization since the 1980s.

Peter H. Gilmore's highest rated books

51605. Julie Guthman

Julie Guthman is a prominent scholar and author known for her work in food studies, particularly focusing on the politics of food production, distribution, and consumption. She has contributed significantly to discussions on organic farming, obesity, and food justice.

Julie Guthman's highest rated books
Cover of 'The Problem With Solutions' by Julie Guthman

51606. John Cooper Clarke

John Cooper Clarke is an English performance poet known for his rapid-fire delivery and punk rock influence. He gained prominence in the late 1970s and early 1980s, often performing alongside punk and post-punk bands. Clarke's work is characterized by its satirical and observational style, and he remains an influential figure in both the poetry and music scenes.

John Cooper Clarke's highest rated books
Cover of 'What' by John Cooper Clarke

51607. Joseph V. Mascelli

Joseph V. Mascelli was a renowned cinematographer and author, best known for his influential book 'The Five C's of Cinematography,' which is considered a classic in the field of film production.

Joseph V. Mascelli's highest rated books

51608. Feridun Zaimoğlu

Feridun Zaimoğlu is a German author and visual artist of Turkish descent, known for his novels, essays, and plays that often explore themes of identity, migration, and cultural integration. He gained prominence with his debut book 'Kanak Sprak' and has since become an influential voice in contemporary German literature.

Feridun Zaimoğlu's highest rated books
Cover of 'Kanak Sprak' by Feridun Zaimoğlu

51609. Ayako Miura

Ayako Miura was a renowned Japanese novelist known for her works that often explore themes of faith, morality, and the human condition. Her literature has had a significant impact on Japanese culture and continues to be celebrated for its depth and insight.

Ayako Miura's highest rated books

51610. Friedrich Glauser

Friedrich Glauser was a Swiss writer known for his detective novels featuring the character Sergeant Studer. His work is considered a precursor to modern European crime fiction.

Friedrich Glauser's highest rated books
Cover of 'In Matto's Realm' by Friedrich Glauser

51611. Owen Davies

Owen Davies's highest rated books

51612. Jack Townsend

Jack Townsend's highest rated books

51613. Bandi

Bandi's highest rated books

51614. Erika Engelhaupt

Erika Engelhaupt is a science writer and editor known for her work in making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging to the general public. She has contributed to various publications and is recognized for her insightful and often humorous approach to science communication.

Erika Engelhaupt's highest rated books

51615. Greg Marinovich

Greg Marinovich is a South African photojournalist, filmmaker, and author known for his work covering conflict and social issues. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer and co-author of the book 'The Bang-Bang Club', which chronicles the experiences of four photographers during the final years of apartheid in South Africa.

Greg Marinovich's highest rated books
Cover of 'The Bang Bang Club' by Greg Marinovich

51616. Kendra Crossen Burroughs

Kendra Crossen Burroughs's highest rated books

51617. W.B. Yeats

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, dramatist, and prose writer, one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and co-founded the Abbey Theatre. Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.

W.B. Yeats's highest rated books

51618. Rabih

Rabih's highest rated books

51619. Thomas S. Kidd

Thomas S. Kidd is a prominent American historian known for his works on American religious history. He has authored several books and is a professor at Baylor University.

Thomas S. Kidd's highest rated books
Cover of 'Thomas Jefferson' by Thomas S. Kidd

51620. Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is an author and journalist known for her work on LGBTQ+ issues and her book 'Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States'.

Samantha Allen's highest rated books

51621. Bart D. Ehrman

Bart D. Ehrman is a renowned American New Testament scholar and author, known for his work on textual criticism of the New Testament, the historical Jesus, and the development of early Christianity.

Bart D. Ehrman's highest rated books

51622. Martín Badía

Martín Badía's highest rated books

51623. Audrey Rush

Audrey Rush's highest rated books

51624. Emmanuelle Arsan

Emmanuelle Arsan is the pen name of Marayat Rollet-Andriane, a Thai-French author known for her erotic novel 'Emmanuelle,' which was published in 1959. The book became famous for its exploration of sexual liberation and was later adapted into a successful film series.

Emmanuelle Arsan's highest rated books

51625. Donika Kelly

Donika Kelly is an American poet known for her collections such as 'Bestiary' and 'The Renunciations'. Her work often explores themes of identity, mythology, and personal history.

Donika Kelly's highest rated books

51626. Derek Bailey

Derek Bailey was an influential English avant-garde guitarist and a pioneer in the free improvisation movement. Known for his innovative approach to guitar playing, Bailey's work spanned various genres and collaborations with numerous artists.

Derek Bailey's highest rated books

51627. Wilfrid Sellars

Wilfrid Sellars was a prominent American philosopher known for his significant contributions to philosophy of mind, epistemology, and philosophy of language. He is best known for his critique of the 'myth of the given' and his work on the nature of scientific knowledge.

Wilfrid Sellars's highest rated books

51628. Robert B. Pippin

Robert B. Pippin is a distinguished American philosopher known for his work in modern German philosophy, particularly on Hegel, Kant, and Nietzsche. He has also contributed significantly to the philosophy of film and literature.

Robert B. Pippin's highest rated books

51629. Anthony Loyd

Anthony Loyd is a British journalist and war correspondent known for his reporting from conflict zones around the world. He has covered wars in Bosnia, Chechnya, Afghanistan, and Iraq, among others. Loyd is also the author of several books, including 'My War Gone By, I Miss It So,' which details his experiences in Bosnia.

Anthony Loyd's highest rated books

51630. W.B. Yeats

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and co-founded the Abbey Theatre. Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.

W.B. Yeats's highest rated books

51631. Sarah Glidden

Sarah Glidden is an American cartoonist and illustrator known for her work in graphic journalism. She is recognized for her graphic novels that explore themes of identity, politics, and the complexities of the Middle East.

Sarah Glidden's highest rated books

51632. Ayelet Gundar-Goshen

Ayelet Gundar-Goshen is an Israeli author and screenwriter known for her novels that explore complex human emotions and societal issues. Her works have been translated into multiple languages and have received international acclaim.

Ayelet Gundar-Goshen's highest rated books
Cover of 'Waking Lions' by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen

51633. Sergio Vilela Galvan

Sergio Vilela Galvan's highest rated books

51634. Olive Ann Burns

Olive Ann Burns was an American writer best known for her novel 'Cold Sassy Tree,' which was published in 1984. The novel is a coming-of-age story set in a small Georgia town in the early 20th century. Burns worked as a journalist and wrote for magazines before turning to fiction writing.

Olive Ann Burns's highest rated books
Cover of 'Cold Sassy Tree' by Olive Ann Burns

51635. Kevin Grange

Kevin Grange's highest rated books

51636. Derek Ruiz

Derek Ruiz's highest rated books

51637. Mia Yun

Mia Yun is a Korean-American author known for her novel 'House of the Winds,' which explores themes of identity and cultural heritage.

Mia Yun's highest rated books

51638. Pilar Mateos

Pilar Mateos is a Spanish author known for her works in children's literature. She has received several awards for her contributions to literature and is recognized for her engaging storytelling and ability to connect with young audiences.

Pilar Mateos's highest rated books

51639. Vadim Zeland

Vadim Zeland is a Russian author known for his series of books on reality transurfing, a concept that combines elements of quantum physics, spirituality, and personal development. His work focuses on the idea of shaping one's reality through intention and awareness.

Vadim Zeland's highest rated books
Cover of 'Reality Transurfing Steps I V' by Vadim Zeland

51640. Andrew Shaffer

Andrew Shaffer is an American author known for his humorous and satirical works, including 'Hope Never Dies' and 'The Day of the Donald.'

Andrew Shaffer's highest rated books

51641. Paul Elard Cooley

Paul Elard Cooley's highest rated books

51642. Valerie Tiberius

Valerie Tiberius is a philosopher known for her work in ethics and well-being. She is a professor at the University of Minnesota and has written extensively on the topics of practical reasoning and virtue ethics.

Valerie Tiberius's highest rated books

51643. Monica Byrne

Monica Byrne is an American author and playwright known for her science fiction and speculative fiction works. Her debut novel, 'The Girl in the Road,' received critical acclaim and won the James Tiptree Jr. Award.

Monica Byrne's highest rated books
Cover of 'The Actual Star' by Monica Byrne

51644. Gerardo Sámano Córdova

Gerardo Sámano Córdova's highest rated books
Cover of 'Monstrilio' by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

51645. Peter Tonkin

Peter Tonkin's highest rated books

51646. Martha Raddatz

Martha Raddatz is an American reporter with a long and distinguished career in journalism. She is the Chief Global Affairs Correspondent for ABC News and has covered a wide range of international and domestic issues. Raddatz is known for her in-depth reporting and has moderated presidential debates.

Martha Raddatz's highest rated books

51647. David Viergutz

David Viergutz's highest rated books

51648. Les Simons

Les Simons's highest rated books

51649. Jon Athan

Jon Athan is an author known for writing horror and thriller novels, often exploring themes of violence and psychological terror.

Jon Athan's highest rated books

51650. Jamie Bartlett

Jamie Bartlett is a British author and journalist known for his work on technology and society, including topics like the dark web, social media, and digital culture. He is the author of books such as 'The Dark Net' and 'Radicals'.

Jamie Bartlett's highest rated books