Books have shaped our minds, stretched our imaginations, brought light to our dark worlds, taken us down memory lane, and have given us a sneak peek into the future. This is why some of most influential people today are authors who have helped to preserve cultures and captured significant moments in history, culture, and traditions.

This article looks at the five greatest authors of all time.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was one of the most important literary figures of his time; he was a prominent and inventive playwright, poet, and actor born in England in April 1564. As an exemplary author and poet of his time, Shakespeare’s imaginative plays, poems, and sonnets demonstrated his literary genius. Shakespeare’s plays spread across numerous genres and cultures, making their way on stage and in film. He wrote classic plays such as Macbeth, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest. His books are still influencing the world today till date, particularly in literature, film, and politics. He died at 52.

Charles Dickens

Charles John Huffam Dickens was a British writer and novelist born in England on February 7, 1812, known for his interest in human circumstances, lack, and social injustice. He fought intensely against the social hypocrisy of British society. Charles authored books such as The Tale of Two Cities, the popular Oliver Twist, Bleak House, A Christmas Carol, and Great Expectations. He died on June 9, 1870.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen, born in December 1775, was unquestionably one of the most remarkable English writers. She exposes the little obsessions and concerns of the ladies, gentlemen, and young women in English circles. Jane was a skilled writer with apt construction of sentences, word delivery, plot, and a thing for witty British characters. She wrote the famous Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility. Jane Austen died at 41 on July 18, 1817.

John R. R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was a linguist, poet, medieval scholar, and lecturer born in 1892. He dedicated his time to writing intricate fantasy tales. His love for fantasy fiction birthed books such as The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit were some of his top fantasy books. He died on September 2, 1973.

 Mark Twain

Mark Twain, originally named Samuel L. Clemens, was born in Florida on November 30, 1835; he was an American humorist, novelist, journalist, and lecturer. His books remarkably expressed his sense of humor. He died on April 21, 1910. He contributed significantly to fiction in America when he was alive. Some of his best books were Life on the Mississippi, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Innocents Abroad.

Due to their passion to influence cultures and values, these authors continue to stand out through the ages. Their ideas ruled the world, stirred revolutions, and influenced academic disciplines where contemporary writers have served to preserve their legacies.