The Greatest Authors of All Time
Ever wondered who the greatest authors of all time are? We've analyzed 743 diverse book lists to create this comprehensive ranking of literary masters. Our algorithm considers several key factors to determine each author's position:
- Book Rankings: Each author's score starts with the sum of their books' rankings from our master list.
- Number of Great Books: Authors are rewarded for having multiple highly-ranked books. The more great books an author has, the higher their overall score.
- Age of Books: Older books receive a small bonus to their score, with the maximum bonus going to books over 100 years old.
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.
5351. Anne Carson
Canadian poet, essayist, translator, and classicist known for genre-bending work that blends classical scholarship, poetry, and prose; notable works include Eros the Bittersweet, Autobiography of Red, and Nox.
5352. Henry James
American-born novelist, critic, and literary figure (1843–1916), noted for psychological realism and influential works such as The Portrait of a Lady, Daisy Miller, Washington Square, and The Turn of the Screw; became a British subject in 1915.
5353. Joaquín Barceló
5354. Carlos Fuentes
Mexican novelist, essayist and diplomat, a leading figure of the Latin American Boom; author of The Death of Artemio Cruz, Aura, and The Old Gringo.
5355. Mario Vargas Llosa
Peruvian-Spanish novelist, essayist, journalist and politician; a leading figure of Latin American literature and winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature. Notable works include The Time of the Hero, Conversation in the Cathedral, Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter, The War of the End of the World, and The Feast of the Goat.
5356. Johnny Morgan
5357. Kent Crowley
5358. Domenic Priore
American author and pop-culture historian specializing in 1960s Los Angeles music, film, and counterculture. Known for writings on The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, the Sunset Strip, and related subjects.
5359. Elliott, Zetta
Children's and young-adult author and poet whose work centers on Black children, diasporic experiences, and social justice.
5360. Melissa McTernan
5361. Gillian Flynn
American author and former journalist best known for psychological thrillers such as Gone Girl, Sharp Objects, and Dark Places.
5362. Ronald Takaki
American historian and professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, known for work on multiculturalism and Asian American history; author of 'A Different Mirror' and 'Strangers from a Different Shore'.
5364. R.C. Sherriff
English playwright and novelist best known for the World War I play Journey's End (1928); served as an officer in the British Army during WWI and wrote extensively for theatre, radio and prose.
5365. Adam Kinzinger
American politician and military veteran; served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois (2011–2023), a Republican who served in the Air National Guard and was a member of the House January 6 Committee.
5366. Yung Pueblo
Contemporary writer and poet who publishes under the pen name Yung Pueblo, known for short prose and poetry focused on emotional healing, mindfulness, and personal growth.
5367. Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Canadian author of children's and young adult historical fiction, often focusing on Ukrainian history, the Holodomor, and wartime experiences.
5368. Martha Burk
American feminist activist, author, and political advocate best known for her work on women's economic and political equality and for challenging the male-only membership policy of Augusta National Golf Club; former chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations.
5369. Raymond Floyd
American professional golfer and World Golf Hall of Fame member, winner of multiple PGA Tour events and major championships.
5370. Mike Keiser
American entrepreneur and golf-resort developer, best known as the founder of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.
5371. Bob Rotella
American sports psychologist and author, best known for books on golf psychology and mental coaching for golfers.
5372. Kamala Harris
American politician and attorney; 49th Vice President of the United States (since 2021); former U.S. Senator from California (2017–2021) and California Attorney General (2011–2017); first female, first Black, and first Asian-American vice president.
5373. Richard Ferber
American pediatrician and sleep specialist, best known for developing the "Ferber method" of infant sleep training and for the book "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems"; former director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children's Hospital Boston.
5374. Andrew Wilson
5375. Errico Malatesta
Italian anarchist, revolutionary, organizer and writer; a leading figure in the international anarchist movement known for his activism, propaganda, and advocacy of anarchist-communist and insurrectionary approaches.
5376. Vladimir Lenin
Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist and politician; leader of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and first head of the Soviet state.
5377. Jeffrey Toobin
American lawyer, author, and legal analyst, known for books and commentary on high-profile legal cases; longtime staff writer for The New Yorker and legal analyst for CNN.
5378. Timothy Bella
American journalist and reporter, known for writing for The Washington Post.
5379. Daniel Stone
5380. Elizabeth D. Samet
American literary scholar and professor of English at the United States Military Academy (West Point), author of essays and books on war and literature, including Soldier's Heart.
5381. Tupac Shakur
American rapper, actor, poet, and activist, widely influential in 1990s hip hop; also known by the stage names 2Pac and Makaveli.
5382. Vladimir Kuroyedov
Russian naval officer; served as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy (1997–2005).
5383. Mark Frost
American novelist, screenwriter and television producer; co-creator of the television series Twin Peaks and author of novels including The List of Seven.
5384. Curt Sampson
American sportswriter and author best known for books on golf, including biographies and works about notable golfers.
5385. Bill Murray
American actor, comedian, and writer best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and films such as Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation.
5386. Scott Rao
American coffee consultant, trainer and author specializing in coffee brewing and roasting. Author of practical industry books including The Professional Barista's Handbook, The Coffee Roaster's Companion, and Everything but Espresso; known for expertise in espresso, brewing techniques, and roasting practices.
5387. John Gunnell
British Labour Party politician and former Member of Parliament.
5388. Joseph J. Ellis
American historian and author specializing in the American Revolutionary era and the Founding Fathers; longtime professor at Mount Holyoke College and author of popular works on early U.S. history.
5389. Hew Strachan
Scottish military historian specializing in the First World War; Professor of International Relations at the University of St Andrews and author/editor of works on modern warfare.
5390. Peter Ames Carlin
American journalist and author best known for music biographies, including Catch a Wave (on Brian Wilson) and Paul McCartney: A Life, and for freelance journalism on popular music and culture.
5391. Scott Huler
American journalist and non-fiction author known for writing about travel, water, and natural history; has written books and articles for newspapers and magazines.
5392. D.E. Stevenson
Scottish novelist best known for warm, character-driven romantic and domestic fiction published mainly from the 1920s to the 1960s.
5393. Osho
Indian spiritual teacher and mystic, founder of the Rajneesh movement (commonly known as Osho), known for his discourses on meditation and spirituality and for the controversial Rajneeshpuram commune in the United States.
5394. Osho
Indian spiritual teacher and mystic, widely known as Osho (also Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh). Founder of the Rajneesh movement, author of numerous books on meditation and spirituality, and the leader of ashrams in Pune and the Rajneeshpuram community in Oregon; a controversial figure involved in legal and political conflicts.
5395. Michael P. Spradlin
American author of children's and young adult fiction, best known for the Youngest Templar series and historical/adventure novels for young readers.
5396. R.H. Bruce Lockhart
British (Scottish-origin) diplomat, journalist, author and intelligence officer known for his role in Britain’s relations with Soviet Russia and his memoirs about his diplomatic and espionage activities.
5397. Edward Alden
Journalist and author who writes on trade, immigration, and economic policy; author of books including The Closing of the American Border and Failure to Adjust.
5398. Cassandra Khaw
Writer of horror and speculative fiction and a games journalist/narrative designer, known for short fiction and novellas.
5399. Sarah Moon
French photographer and former fashion model, known for her poetic, dreamlike fashion and editorial photography as well as work in advertising and film.
5400. Evan Thomas
American journalist, historian, and author best known for biographies and books on American history and international affairs.