Today, many schools no longer teach such a subject as foreign literature. The younger generation, as a rule, learns about some famous English writers, their fascinating works from textbooks in English classes and thanks to modern cinema. However, everyone who studies English needs to know which English writers are classics of foreign literature. Thanks to this knowledge, you can broaden your general horizons and replenish lexicon reading works in the original.
About the most famous
Even those who are not particularly fond of reading literature have heard the names English writers who have purchased world fame. It's about about Shakespeare, Kipling, Byron, Conan Doyle and others. Let's talk briefly about the authors whose works deserve the attention of everyone.
Rudyard Kipling (Sir Joseph Rudyard Kipling) was an English poet, writer and short story writer who lived from 1865 to 1936. In the history of world literature, he is known as the creator of stories and fairy tales for children, many of which were filmed. Rudyard Kipling became not only the youngest laureate Nobel Prize in Literature, but also the first Englishman to receive this award. Most notable works: "The Jungle Book", "Riki-Tiki-Tavi", "Kim", "Kaa's Hunt", etc. Children's stories: "Elephant", "How the first letter was written", "The cat that walked by itself", “Why does a rhinoceros have a skin in folds”, etc.
Oscar Wilde (Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie) Wills Wilde) - outstanding Irish poet playwright, writer and essayist. One of the most famous playwrights of the late Victorian period and a key figure in the development of aestheticism and European modernism. The most famous work is the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). The years of the writer's life - 1854−1900.
George ByronGeorge Gordon Byron- English romantic poet, who was in the period from 1788 to 1824 a symbol of romanticism and political liberalism in Europe of the 19th century. During his lifetime, he was commonly referred to as "Lord Byron". Thanks to him, such terms as "Byronic" hero and "Byronism" appeared in literature. creative heritage, left by the poet, is represented by the poem "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" (1812), the novel "Don Juan", the poems "Gyaur" and "Corsair", etc.
Arthur Conan Doyle ( Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle- English writer (although a doctor by training). He is the author of countless novels and stories that are of an adventure, historical, journalistic, fantastic and humorous nature. Most Popular detective stories about Sherlock Holmes, sci-fi about Professor Challenger, as well as a number of historical novels. Peru Conan Doyle also owns plays and poems. The creative heritage is represented by such works as "The White Squad", " lost World”,“ The Hound of the Baskervilles ”, etc. The years of the writer’s life - 1859−1930.
Daniel Defoe- English writer and publicist who wrote about 500 books, magazines and pamphlets on various topics. He is one of the founders of the European realistic novel. In 1719, Daniel Defoe saw the light of the first and best novel for the entire creative life writer called Robinson Crusoe. Famous works also include "Captain Singleton", "The Story of Colonel Jack", "Moth Flanders", "Roxanne" (1724) and others.
William Somerset Maugham(William Somerset Maugham) — British writer playwright, screenwriter and literary critic. One of the most successful prose writers of the 20th century. For achievements in art and literature awarded the Order Cavaliers of Honor. Maugham has 78 works to his credit, including short stories, essays and travel notes. Main works: "The burden of human passions", "Moon and penny", "Pies and wine", "The razor's edge".
Who wrote for children
Not all famous English writers were fascinated by extremely serious vital themes. Some great authors devoted part of their work to the younger generation, writing fairy tales and stories for children. Who hasn't heard of Alice in Wonderland or Mowgli the boy who grew up in the jungle?
Biography of the writer Lewis Carroll whose real name is Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, no less interesting than his book Alice in Wonderland. He grew up in big family where there were 11 children. The boy was very fond of drawing and always dreamed of becoming an artist. This writer told us the story of the restless heroine Alice and her endless journeys to a wonderful Magic world, where it meets the set interesting characters: Cheshire Cat, and the mad hatter, and the queen of cards.
Rold Dahl ( Roald Dahl) originally from Wales. Most The author spent his childhood in boarding houses. One of these boarding houses was located near the famous chocolate factory Cadbury. The idea is supposed to write your best children's story called "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" came to him during this period. The hero of the story becomes a boy named Charlie, who receives one of the five tickets that allows him to get into a closed chocolate factory. Charlie, along with 4 other participants, goes through all the tasks in the factory, and remains the winner.
Rudyard Kipling known for his "The Jungle Book", which tells the story of the boy Mowgli, who grew up among animals in wild forests. Most likely, this story was written under the impression of his own childhood. The fact is, after the birth of the first 5 years of his life, the writer lived in India.
Joanne Rowling- the most famous writer-"storyteller" of our time. It was she who gave us such a character as Harry Potter. The story of Harry, the wizard boy, who goes to Hogwarts school, Joan composed for her children. This allowed them to plunge into the world of magic and magic and forget for a while about the poverty in which the family lived at that time. The book is full of interesting adventures.
Joan Aiken (Joan Delano Aiken) She became a writer because everyone in her family wrote, from her father to her sister. However, Joan was engaged in children's literature. Her most famous work was the short story "A Piece of Heaven in a Pie".
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson invented the pirate Captain Flint in his famous history"Treasure Island". Hundreds of boys followed the adventures of this hero. Robert himself comes from cold Scotland, an engineer and a lawyer by training. The first book was published when the author was only 16 years old, he borrowed money for the publication from his father. The story about the treasure island was invented by him much later during the games with his son, during which they drew a treasure map together and came up with plots.
John Tolkien Ronald Reuel Tolkien He is the author of the fantastic and breathtaking stories of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. John is a teacher by education. As a child, the writer learned to read early, and did so often throughout his life. As John himself admits, he fiercely hated the story "Treasure Island", but was crazy about "Alice in Wonderland". The writer himself, after his stories, became the founder of the fantasy genre, it is no coincidence that he was called the "father of fantasy".
English writers The 17th-20th centuries are less popular today, and the subject of foreign literature is no longer taught in schools. Strange, but not so long ago, in times of stagnation, iron curtain And cold war the students knew and loved English classics. And their parents whole year they collected waste paper in order to get the opportunity to purchase the coveted volume of Jerome K. Jerome or Wilkie Collins for 20 kilograms. Today, however, when asking who is Charles Dickens or Thomas Hardy, most often you see in response only a puzzled look. Indeed, where modern teenagers learn about it if the school does not pass???!
Well, for those who nevertheless looked at this page with the heading "English writers", I want to offer the most interesting books and no less interesting biographies these same English writers. So, I invite you to read, listen and watch purely english stories, both in Russian and in English. Below is a list of their most interesting works, as well as their screen adaptations. And for students English language we offer films and cartoons in English with subtitles, video interviews and free lessons English language online.
Below list of English writers 17th-20th century, whose books are presented on the site site:
- Geoffrey Chaucer (1343 - 1400)
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
- Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
- The Brontë sisters: Charlotte (1816-1855), Emily (1818-1848), Anne (1820-1849)
- Robert Stevenson (1850-1894)
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
- Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
- Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927)
- Conan Doyle (1859-1930)
- Agatha Christie (1890-1976)
You will be able to get acquainted with the biography of English writers, whose eventful life is reflected in exciting works. No matter which book you pick up, you can't put it down! And for those who want to know more, review article about English literature. Read!
English writers and their works (classics)
Robert Stevenson (1850-1894)
Psychological novels from the creator of Mr. Hyde and owner of Ballantra. Look into your soul...
Charles Dickens / Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
The most philanthropic writer who mercilessly fought against the injustice and vices of Victorian society.
The Brontë sisters: Charlotte (1816-1855), Emily (1818-1848), Anne (1820-1849)
Three stars sparkling in the sky English Literature, incredible women, each of which was amazingly talented and unimaginably unhappy.
- Charlotte Brontë "Jane Eyre"
- « Wuthering Heights(screen adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel)
- Ann Bronte "Agnes Grey"
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
A witty genius, philosopher, master of the red word, famous for his quotes, the "father" of Dorian Gray.
Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927)
- film adaptations of works —> in development
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
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Brilliant classic detective stories and tragic love stories, lengthy biographies and incomparable subtle humor, a world of mesmerizing fantasy and adventurous adventure. British literature is rich in masterpieces!
Famous British writers and their best works
Pioneer Geniuses
In order to tell about all the most worthy representatives of Great Britain who created wonderful works (from plays and poems to short stories and novels), you need a voluminous volume. But let's get acquainted (more or less adhering to the chronology) at least with some of them!
Geoffrey Chaucer is considered to be the pioneer of English literature. It was he (it was in the XIV century) who first began to write his works on mother tongue(not in Latin). Among his "software" creations, we note the ironic " The Canterbury Tales” and the voluminous heroic-romantic poem “Troilus and Chryseida”. The earthly in Chaucer is intertwined with the sublime, vulgarity coexists with moralizing, and everyday pictures are replaced by passionate scenes.
IN Lately here and there disputes arose over another recognized classic - William Shakespeare. They doubted the authorship, attributed his works to other personalities (up to Queen Elizabeth the First). We will stick to the traditional point of view. The immortal lines of sonnets, the colorful characters of tragedies, the life-affirming optimism of the comedies of the Great Bard are modern to this day. His plays are leading in the repertoires of theaters (in terms of the number of productions), they are endlessly filmed. Some "Romeo and Juliet" filmed more than fifty (counting from the era of silent films). But Shakespeare worked in the distant XVI-XVII centuries!
Novels for ladies, and not only
"Women's" prose in British classics Jane Austen is vividly represented (who has not read the book Pride and Prejudice, which has been transferred to the movie screen more than once!). And also the Bronte sisters. The emotional and tragic "Wuthering Heights" by Emily and the very popular and now (again, thanks to film adaptations) "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte are the best examples of the literature of the first half 19th century. But both sisters died very early, and many of their plans remained unfulfilled.
The powerful prose writer Charles Dickens is the pride of Britain. In his works one can find realism and sentimentalism, a fabulous beginning and riddles. He did not have time to finish The Secret of Edwin Drood, and readers still rack their brains over it. But this novel could be the best detective work of that era.
Mystery and adventure
In general, the founder of this genre is a friend of Dickens, Wilkie Collins. His "Moonstone" is considered the first detective story written in English. very interesting and full of mysticism and the mystery novel The Woman in White.
Two Scots - Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson - contributed to British literature. These were consummate masters historical adventure novels. "Ivanhoe" of the first and "Treasure Island" of the second are masterpieces.
Two more personalities stand apart: the gloomy romantic John Gordon Byron and the ironic Oscar Wilde. Read their lines! It `s Magic. Life did not indulge both, but stronger emotion in works.
Graceful prose, humor and masters of the detective
Wilde was persecuted for his homosexuality. Suffered from it and his other compatriot - Somerset Maugham. English intelligence officer, he is the author the finest prose. If you have Bad mood, re-read "Theater" or review the film - even with Via Artmane, even American, with Annette Benning, wonderful medicine!
Other great pep writers are Jerock K. Jerome and Pelham G. Wodehouse. Didn't you laugh when you read about the adventures of the "three in a boat" or the misadventures of the half-hearted aristocrat Bertie Wooster, patronized by the stiff valet Jeeves?
Even those who do not like detective stories will sooner or later turn to the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. After all, his hero Sherlock is the favorite object of modern filmmakers.
What can we say about Lady Agatha! Christie is perhaps the most famous detective (may she forgive us such a dissonant word!) Of all times and peoples. And words are superfluous. Poirot and Marple glorified the British woman for centuries.
In the arms of fantasy
Huge wonderful world- with their own language, geography, funny (courageous, terrifying, cute, and not very - different!) inhabitants - John Ronald Reuel Tolkien came up with honor and praise to him. For fantasy fans, his "Lord of the Rings" is what the Bible is for believers.
Among contemporary British writers greatest glory and JK Rowling achieved success. Seeing some images in a half-asleep one day and deciding to write down the story of an orphan boy that came to mind, the impoverished housewife became one of the revered prose writers of our days. Screen adaptations of "Potteriana" were seen by millions, and the author herself became a multi-millionaire.
Erotic escapades of David Lawrence's characters, John Fowles' throwing heroes, HG Wells' other worlds, Thomas Hardy's tragic plots, Jonathan Swift's and Bernard Shaw's evil satire, Robert Burns' ballads, Galsworthy's and Iris Murdoch's realism. This, too, is the wealth of British literature. Read and enjoy!
Everyone knows the plot of Daniel Defoe's novel. However, the book contains many other interesting details about the organization of Robinson's life on the island, his biography, and inner experiences. If you ask a person who has not read the book to describe the character of Robinson, he is unlikely to cope with this task.
In the mass consciousness, Crusoe is an intelligent character without character, feelings and history. In the novel, the image of the protagonist is revealed, which allows you to look at the plot from a different angle.
Why you need to read
To get acquainted with one of the most famous adventure novels and find out who Robinson Crusoe really was.
Swift does not openly challenge society. Like a true Englishman, he does it correctly and witty. His satire is so subtle that Gulliver's Travels can be read like a normal fairy tale.
Why you need to read
For children, Swift's novel is a fun and unusual adventure story. Adults need to read it to get acquainted with one of the most famous artistic satires.
This novel, let artistically and not the most outstanding, definitely iconic in the history of literature. After all, in many respects he predetermined the development of the scientific genre.
But it's not just an entertaining read. It raises the problems of relations between the creator and creation, God and man. Who is responsible for creating a being that is destined to suffer?
Why you need to read
To get acquainted with one of the main works science fiction, as well as to feel the difficult problems that are often lost in film adaptations.
Difficult to single out best play Shakespeare. There are at least five of them: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth. The unique style and deep understanding of life's contradictions made Shakespeare's works an immortal classic, relevant at all times.
Why you need to read
To begin to understand poetry, literature and life. And also to find the answer to the question, what is still better: to be or not to be?
The main theme of English literature in the early 19th century was social criticism. Thackeray in his novel denounces his contemporary society with the ideals of success and material enrichment. To be in society means to be sinful - this is approximately Thackeray's conclusion regarding his social environment.
After all, the successes and joys of yesterday lose their meaning when a well-known (albeit unknown) tomorrow dawns ahead, which we all will have to think about sooner or later.
Why you need to read
To learn to relate more easily to the life and opinions of others. After all, everyone in society is infected with "fair ambitions" that have no real value.
The language of the novel is beautiful, and the dialogues are the epitome of English wit. Oscar Wilde is a subtle psychologist, which is why his characters turned out to be so complex and multifaceted.
This book is about human vice, cynicism, the difference between the beauty of the soul and the body. If you think about it, to some extent each of us is Dorian Gray. Only we do not have a mirror on which sins would be imprinted.
Why you need to read
To enjoy the amazing language of Britain's wittiest writer, to see how powerful moral character may not match the external, and also become a little better. Wilde's work is a spiritual portrait not only of his era, but of all mankind.
The ancient Greek myth about a sculptor who fell in love with his creation acquires a new, socially significant sound in the play by Bernard Shaw. What should a work feel for its author if this work is a person? How can it refer to the creator - the one who made it in accordance with his ideals?
Why you need to read
This is the most famous play Bernard Shaw. It is often staged in theaters. According to many critics, "Pygmalion" - landmark work English dramaturgy.
A universally recognized masterpiece of English literature, familiar to many from cartoons. Who, at the mention of Mowgli, does not hear Kaa's long hissing in his head: "Man-cub ..."?
Why you need to read
In adulthood, hardly anyone will take up The Jungle Book. A person has only one childhood to enjoy the creation of Kipling and appreciate it. So be sure to introduce your children to the classics! They will be grateful to you.
And again comes to mind soviet cartoon. It's really good, and the dialogue in it is almost entirely taken from the book. However, the characters and general mood narratives in the original source are different.
Stevenson's novel is realistic and rather harsh in places. But this is a good adventure work that every child and adult will read with pleasure. Boarding, sea wolves, wooden legs - marine theme beckons and attracts.
Why you need to read
Because it's fun and exciting. In addition, the novel is disassembled into quotes, which everyone must know.
Interest in the deductive abilities of the great detective is still great today thanks to the huge number of screen adaptations. A lot of people are only from films and are familiar with the classic detective story. But there are many screen adaptations, and there is only one collection of stories, but what a one!
Why you need to read
H. G. Wells was in many ways a pioneer in the science fiction genre. Before him, people were not at enmity with, he was the first to write about time travel. Without The Time Machine, we would not have seen either the movie Back to the Future or the cult TV series Doctor Who.
They say that all life is a dream, and also a nasty, pitiful one, nap, although the other still does not dream.
Why you need to read
To look at the origins of many of the sci-fi ideas that have become popular in modern culture.
One can talk a lot about the role of the individual in history, but where more interesting topic about the role of personality in the development of the English language. After all, there is no doubt that a number of people whose names we know for sure made an invaluable contribution to English with their literary works. Of course, talking about famous writers Great Britain.
William Shakespeare often called the greatest British writer and one of the brightest playwrights in the world. The writer was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. During his career, Shakespeare created about two hundred works that have been translated into many languages and are constantly staged. Moreover, Shakespeare himself for a long time performed in theaters. Among the most famous works of the author are famous tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear.
Oscar Wilde- Another famous and interesting representative of British literature. He was born in 1856 to an Irish family. The talent and sense of humor of Oscar Wilde are recognized all over the world, just like his famous novel, "The Picture of Dorian Grey". The writer always said that there are aesthetic feelings driving force development of man, and this topic has been repeatedly touched upon in his works. Oscar Wilde left a large number of magnificent fairy tales, plays and novels, which are often staged in our time.
Charles Dickens- British writer, who gained popularity during his lifetime, is a recognized classic of world literature. Dickens was born in 1812 in Porsmouth, England, and grew up in a large family. From childhood, the writer was forced to earn a living, and his hardships afterward were reflected in such famous works like "Oliver Twist", " Big hopes”, whose heroes were poor orphan boys. Not less than famous works are "Dombey and Son", "A Tale of Two Cities" and " Posthumous notes Pickwick Club, which brought him great fame.
Agatha Christie Often referred to as the Queen of the Detective. The writer, who was born in 1890, is among the most frequently published writers. Agatha Christie gave the world about a hundred works, including detective and psychological novels, stories and plays. Christie's most famous creations are the play "The Mousetrap", the detective novel "Ten Little Indians", "Murder on the Orient Express" and many others.
Another great master of the detective is considered Arthur Conan Doyle, who gave the world the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and many other bright characters.
Among contemporary authors British writer stands out Joanne Rowling, famous for a series of books about the wizard Harry Potter and the magical world. These books not only brought her world fame, but also turned her from a single mother living on welfare to a multimillionaire. After the release of all the Harry Potter books, Rowling released several books for adult readers, including under the pseudonym "Robert Gilbraith".
This list can be continued for a long time, but we have listed the real "giants". Without them, the English language, which you can study in courses at, would be completely different. That is why it is so important to remember them and know their names.
