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:
- 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.
3301. Vardis Fisher
Vardis Fisher was an American writer best known for his works on the history of the American West and his Testament of Man series. He was a prolific author who explored themes of human nature, religion, and the American frontier.
3302. Perry Miller
Perry Miller was an American intellectual historian and Harvard University professor. He was an authority on American Puritanism and a co-founder of the field of American Studies.
3303. George S. Kaufman
George S. Kaufman was an American playwright, theatre director, and producer. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice, and his collaborations with other playwrights and authors, such as Moss Hart and Edna Ferber, are highly regarded in American theatre.
3304. Nathan Ballingrud
Nathan Ballingrud is an American author known for his works in horror and dark fantasy. His notable works include 'North American Lake Monsters' and 'Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell.'
3305. John Von Neumann
John von Neumann was a Hungarian-American mathematician, physicist, computer scientist, and polymath. He made major contributions to many fields, including mathematics, physics, economics, and computer science. He is considered one of the foremost mathematicians of the 20th century.
3306. Dave Pelzer
Dave Pelzer is an American author, best known for his memoir 'A Child Called It,' which recounts his experiences with severe child abuse.
3307. Carla Madeira
Carla Madeira is a Brazilian author known for her engaging storytelling and exploration of human emotions and relationships.
3308. Rumer Godden
Rumer Godden was a British author known for her works of fiction and children's literature. She wrote over 60 books, including 'Black Narcissus' and 'The River', which were adapted into films. Her writing often explored themes of cultural conflict and the complexities of human relationships.
3309. Guy Vanderhaeghe
Guy Vanderhaeghe is a Canadian novelist, short story writer, and playwright. He is best known for his historical fiction, particularly his Western trilogy set in the late 19th century. Vanderhaeghe has received numerous awards for his work, including the Governor General's Award for Fiction.
3310. Ben Ames Williams
Ben Ames Williams was an American writer known for his prolific output of novels and short stories. His works often explored themes of adventure, romance, and the human condition, and he gained popularity for novels such as 'Leave Her to Heaven' and 'All the Brothers Were Valiant.'
3311. Betty MacDonald
Betty MacDonald was an American author best known for her humorous memoirs, particularly 'The Egg and I', which was a bestseller and inspired a series of popular films. She also wrote the 'Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle' series of children's books.
3312. Meridel Le Sueur
Meridel Le Sueur was an American writer and journalist known for her works on social issues, women's rights, and the working class. Her writing often focused on the struggles of marginalized communities and she was an influential figure in American literature and activism.
3313. Larry Correia
Larry Correia is an American fantasy and science fiction author, known for his 'Monster Hunter' series and 'The Grimnoir Chronicles'. He has a background in accounting and firearms instruction, and his works often feature action-packed plots with detailed combat scenes.
3314. Marjorie Liu
Marjorie M. Liu is an American New York Times best-selling author and comic book writer. She is known for her work on the 'Astonishing X-Men' series for Marvel Comics and her urban fantasy novels, including the 'Hunter Kiss' and 'Dirk & Steele' series. Liu is also the co-creator of the acclaimed comic series 'Monstress,' which has won multiple Eisner Awards.
3315. Mary Beard
Mary Beard is a renowned British classicist, academic, and author, known for her works on Roman history and culture. She is a professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and has written numerous books and articles on ancient history.
3316. Claud Cockburn
Claud Cockburn was a British journalist, author, and communist. He was known for his work as a foreign correspondent and his involvement in left-wing politics. Cockburn wrote under various pseudonyms and was a prominent figure in journalism during the mid-20th century.
3317. Susan Jacoby
Susan Jacoby is an American author known for her works on atheism, secularism, and intellectual history. She has written extensively on topics related to American culture and politics, and is recognized for her advocacy of secularism and critical thinking.
3318. Alan Watts
Alan Wilson Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker known for interpreting and popularizing Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. He wrote more than 25 books and numerous articles on subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, and the meaning of life.
3319. Bernard A. DeVoto
Bernard Augustine DeVoto was an American historian, writer, critic, and conservationist. He is best known for his works on American history, particularly the exploration and settlement of the American West.
3320. Marguerite Henry
Marguerite Henry was an American writer of children's books, best known for her horse stories, including the Newbery Medal-winning 'King of the Wind' and the 'Misty of Chincoteague' series.
3321. Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is a British actor, comedian, author, and broadcaster known for his wit and intelligence. He has appeared in numerous television shows and films, written several novels and works of non-fiction, and is a prominent advocate for mental health awareness.
3322. Jon Savage
Jon Savage is a British writer, broadcaster, and music journalist, best known for his work on the history of punk rock and youth culture. He is the author of the influential book 'England's Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock and Beyond'.
3323. Zakes Mda
Zakes Mda is a South African novelist, poet, and playwright known for his works that explore themes of post-apartheid society, history, and identity. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to literature and is recognized for his impactful storytelling and vivid characterizations.
3324. Helen McCloy
Helen McCloy was an American mystery writer known for her Dr. Basil Willing series. She was a prominent figure in the genre, contributing significantly to the development of psychological suspense in detective fiction.
3325. Dorothy Salisbury Davis
Dorothy Salisbury Davis was an American crime fiction writer known for her suspenseful and psychologically complex novels. She was a prominent figure in the mystery genre and served as president of the Mystery Writers of America.
3326. Walter A. Kaufmann
Walter Arnold Kaufmann was a German-American philosopher, translator, and poet. He is best known for his translations and interpretations of the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, as well as his writings on existentialism and the philosophy of religion.
3327. William H. Armstrong
William Howard Armstrong was an American author and educator, best known for his Newbery Medal-winning novel 'Sounder'.
3328. Richard Morgan
Richard Morgan, also known as Richard K. Morgan, is a British science fiction and fantasy author known for his gritty and dark narratives. He is best known for his novel 'Altered Carbon', which was adapted into a Netflix series.
3329. Nick Lane
Nick Lane is a British biochemist and writer. He is known for his work on the role of bioenergetics in the origin and evolution of life. He has authored several popular science books, including 'Life Ascending' and 'The Vital Question'.
3330. Diarmaid MacCulloch
Diarmaid MacCulloch is a British historian and academic, specializing in church history and the history of Christianity. He is a professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford and has written several acclaimed books on religious history.
3331. Sjón
Sjón is an Icelandic author known for his poetic and surreal style. He has written novels, poetry, and plays, and is also known for his collaborations with the musician Björk. His works often explore themes of mythology and folklore.
3332. Indro Montanelli
Indro Montanelli was a prominent Italian journalist and historian, known for his influential work in Italian journalism and his role in founding the newspaper Il Giornale. He was a prolific writer and a significant figure in 20th-century Italian media.
3333. H. G. Oesterheld
Héctor Germán Oesterheld was an influential Argentine comic book writer and editor, best known for his work on 'El Eternauta'. His stories often contained social and political themes. Oesterheld disappeared in 1977 during Argentina's Dirty War, becoming one of the many victims of forced disappearances.
3335. Elly Griffiths
Elly Griffiths is the pen name of British author Domenica de Rosa, known for her mystery novels, particularly the Ruth Galloway series. Her work often combines elements of archaeology, history, and suspense.
3337. Klaus Rifbjerg
Klaus Rifbjerg was a prolific Danish writer, poet, and filmmaker known for his significant contributions to modern Danish literature. He authored over 100 novels, poetry collections, and essays, and was a prominent cultural figure in Denmark.
3338. Nick Joaquin
Nick Joaquin was a Filipino writer, historian, and journalist, best known for his short stories and novels in the English language. He often used the pen name Quijano de Manila. Joaquin's works explore the complexities of Filipino identity and culture, and he is considered one of the most important literary figures in the Philippines.
3340. Don Robertson
Don Robertson was an American author known for his novels, including 'The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread' and 'The Sum and Total of Now.' His works often explored themes of human resilience and the complexities of life in America.
3341. Ryan North
Ryan North is a Canadian writer known for his work on webcomics, including 'Dinosaur Comics,' and for writing for comic series such as 'Adventure Time' and 'The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl.' He is also the author of the 'To Be or Not To Be' choose-your-own-path book and has contributed to various other creative projects.
3342. Michael Straight
Michael Whitney Straight was an American magazine publisher, novelist, and former spy. He is known for his involvement with the Cambridge Five, a group of Soviet spies in the United Kingdom, and for his work as the editor of The New Republic magazine.
3343. Freya Marske
Freya Marske is an author known for her work in the fantasy genre, particularly for her debut novel 'A Marvellous Light'.
3345. Harry Harrison
Harry Harrison was an American science fiction author, best known for his novel 'Make Room! Make Room!', which was adapted into the film 'Soylent Green'. He also created the popular 'Stainless Steel Rat' series and was known for his satirical and humorous writing style.
3346. Margarita García Robayo
Margarita García Robayo is a Colombian author known for her novels, short stories, and essays. Her works often explore themes of identity, displacement, and the complexities of human relationships.
3347. Gary D. Schmidt
Gary D. Schmidt is an American author of children's and young adult fiction. He is known for his award-winning novels, including 'The Wednesday Wars' and 'Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy'. His works often explore themes of adolescence, history, and personal growth.
3348. Gerda Charles
Gerda Charles was a British author known for her novels and literary criticism. She won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for her novel 'A Slanting Light'.
3349. George Plimpton
George Plimpton was an American journalist, writer, literary editor, and actor. He is best known for his participatory journalism, in which he engaged in the professional activities he wrote about, such as playing professional sports.
3350. Frank Herbert
American science fiction author best known for the novel Dune (1965). His work emphasized ecology, politics, religion, and complex worldbuilding.
