5 Famous Writers Throughout History

James Baldwin

James Baldwin was born in 1924 and discovered his talent for writing at a young age. He wrote several novels, some of which focus on his life experiences, Harlem New York culture, racism in society, and the alienation that came with being a gay black man.

After living in Paris, Baldwin traveled back to the United States at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement and began reporting on what was going on. He would even become friends with Martin Luther King Jr. Baldwin went on to write several essays and books. He later joined the Congress of Racial Equality and worked to end both racism and homophobia in our society.

Emily Dickinson

Born in 1830, Emily Dickinson was a poet that is today known as one of the most powerful voices of American culture. When she died in 1886, Dickinson’s sister found almost two thousand poems that she later shared with the public. Luckily she did, because in 1890 the poems became a hit. The first volume of poems went through eleven editions in less than two years, even extending to audiences abroad. 

Part of what helped Dickinson’s popularity was that she challenged the existing definitions of poetry and what it means to be a poet. She talked about American culture, the limitations of society, and how to escape from that, both literally and figuratively. Although she was not as popular in her lifetime, her poetry inspired many other writers. In 1971, the United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in her honor.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen is considered one of the greatest English writers of all time. Born in 1775, Jane Austen used her writing skills to create various novels, which were just then emerging as a literary form. She wrote about various different social situations and was known for getting the reader engaged in the characters they were reading about. Readers would laugh, cry, and use detective work to solve a mystery right alongside Austen’s characters.

Austen had a sense for creating humorous situations and characters that would engage you both while reading and after you’ve put the book down. Her novels usually star a young woman who is trying to find a husband to marry but explores the concept of class and community while doing so.

Jules Verne

Jules Verne is known as the father of science fiction. Born in 1828, he wrote futuristic adventure novels and was surprisingly accurate in his future predictions. His future worlds include skyscrapers, television, trains, computers, and a version of the internet.

Verne is one of the world’s most translated authors, with his work being in over 140 different languages. You probably know some of his novels, like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in 80 days.

Charles Dickens

You probably have heard of Charles Dickens, he has a lot of classics that include novels such as Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, a Tale of Two Cities, and more. He was born in 1812 and began as a journalist until he started both writing novels and acting. He acquired a fan base through his books and people would eagerly await his next release.

His novels were lengthy and had a dramatic flair to them. This made his works perfect for television and movie adaptations. In addition to his writing and acting, he also pursued other hobbies and interests. He even ran a home for women that aimed to help women get back on their feet if they had fallen on hard times.

Start writing your own stories today!

If you want to start practicing your writing so you can one day be on a list like this, Memory Road’s Journal Collection is the best place to start.

We have multiple different journals to choose from so that you can get what best fits your mood, personality, and writing style. They are great for both beginner and advanced writers.

You can choose between the Plant Series, Outdoor Series, Retro Series, or get a Decade Jot Journal with themes from the 1960s to the 2000s. These lightweight journals are 144 pages and are made in the United States.