Famous poets of England. English classics - a priceless pearl of world literature

Today, many schools no longer teach such a subject as foreign literature. About some famous English writers, their fascinating works the younger generation, as a rule, learns from textbooks in class in English and thanks modern cinema. However, everyone who studies English needs to know which English writers are classics of foreign literature. Thanks to this knowledge, you can expand your general horizons and replenish lexicon, reading works in the original.

About the most famous

Even those who are not particularly keen on reading literature have heard the names of English writers who acquired world fame. It's about about Shakespeare, Kipling, Byron, Conan Doyle and others. Let's talk briefly about the authors whose works are worthy of everyone's attention.

Rudyard Kipling (Sir Joseph Rudyard Kipling)- 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 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, but also the first Englishman to receive this award. The most famous works: “The Jungle Book”, “Riki-Tiki-Tavi”, “Kim”, “Kaa’s Hunt”, etc. Children’s stories: “Baby Elephant”, “How the first letter was written”, “The cat that walked by itself”, “Why does the rhinoceros skin have folds”, etc.

Oscar Wilde (Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde)- an outstanding Irish poet, playwright, novelist 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 considered to be the novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” (1890). Years of the writer’s life: 1854−1900.

George Gordon Byron- English romantic poet, who from 1788 to 1824 was a symbol of romanticism and political liberalism in Europe of the 19th century. During his lifetime he was usually called "Lord Byron". Thanks to him, such terms as “Byronic” hero and “Byronicism” 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 “The Giaour” and “The 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 short stories that are of an adventure, historical, journalistic, fantastic and humorous nature. The most popular are detective stories about Sherlock Holmes, science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, as well as a number of historical novels. Conan Doyle also wrote plays and poems. The creative heritage is represented by such works as “White Squad”, “ lost World", "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and others. Years of the writer’s life - 1859−1930.

Daniel Defoe- English writer and publicist who has written 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 in the writer’s entire creative life, entitled “Robinson Crusoe.” Famous works also include “Captain Singleton”, “The History of Colonel Jack”, “Mole Flanders”, “Roxana” (1724), etc.

William Somerset Maugham(William Somerset Maugham) — British writer, playwright, screenwriter and literary critic. One of the most successful prose writers of the twentieth century. For achievements in art and literature was awarded the Order Knights of Honor. Maugham has 78 works, including stories, essays and travel notes. Main works: “The Burden of Human Passions”, “The Moon and a Penny”, “Pies and Wine”, “The Razor’s Edge”.

Who wrote for children

Not all famous English writers were passionate about exclusively serious life topics. Some great authors dedicated part of their work to the younger generation, writing fairy tales and stories for children. Who hasn't heard about Alice, who visited Wonderland, or Mowgli, the boy who grew up in the jungle?

Biography of the writer Lewis Carroll ( Lewis Carroll), whose real name is Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, is no less interesting than his book “Alice in Wonderland”. He grew up in big family, where there were 11 children. The boy loved to draw and always dreamed of becoming an artist. This writer told us the story of the restless heroine Alice and her endless journeys into a wonderful magical world, where she meets many interesting characters: Cheshire cat, and the mad hatter, and the queen of cards.

Roald Dahl originally from Wales. Most The author spent his childhood in boarding houses. One of these boarding houses was located near the famous Cadbury chocolate factory. It is assumed that the idea of ​​writing your best children's story entitled “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” came to him during this period. The hero of the story is a boy named Charlie, who receives one of five tickets that allows him to enter a closed chocolate factory. Charlie, along with 4 other participants, completes all the tasks in the factory, and remains the winner.

Rudyard Kipling famous for his "The Jungle Book", which tells the story of the boy Mowgli, who grows up among animals in the wild forests. Most likely this story was written under the impression of my own childhood. The fact is, after birth, the writer lived in India for the first 5 years of his life.

Joanne Rowling- the most famous writer and “storyteller” of our time. It was she who gave us such a character as Harry Potter. The story of a boy wizard, Harry, 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 Delano Aiken became a writer because everyone in her family wrote: from her father to her sister. However, Joan was involved in children's literature. Her most famous work was the story “A Piece of Heaven in a Pie.”

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson invented the pirate Captain Flint in his famous story"Treasure Island". Hundreds of boys followed the adventures of this hero. Robert himself comes from cold Scotland, an engineer and lawyer by training. The first book was published when the author was only 16 years old; he borrowed money for publication from his father. The story about treasure island was invented by him much later during games with his son, during which they drew a treasure map together and came up with stories.

John Tolkien ( John Ronald Reuel Tolkien)- author of fantastic and breathtaking stories "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings". John is a teacher by training. As a child, the writer learned to read early, and did this 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 nicknamed the “father of fantasy.”

English literature– this is a centuries-old history, magnificent writers, unique works that reflect the characteristics of national character. We grow up with the books of these great authors, we develop with their help. It is impossible to convey the importance of English writers and the contribution they made to world literature. We offer you 10 worldwide recognized masterpieces English literature.

1. William Shakespeare - “King Lear”

The story of King Lear is the story of a man blinded by his own despotism, who, in his declining years, encounters the bitter truth of life for the first time. Endowed with unlimited power, Lear decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters Cordelia, Goneril and Regan. On the day of his abdication, he expects flattering speeches and assurances of tender love from them. He knows in advance what his daughters will say, but he longs to once again listen to the praises addressed to him in the presence of the court and foreigners. Lear invites the youngest of them and the most beloved Cordelia to talk about his love in such a way that her words will prompt him to give her a “more extensive share than his sisters.” But proud Cordelia refuses to perform this ritual with dignity. A fog of rage obscures Lear’s eyes and, considering her refusal an attack on his power and dignity, he curses his daughter. Having deprived her of her inheritance, King Lear abdicates the throne in favor of his eldest daughters Goneril and Regan, not realizing the dire consequences of his action...

2. George Gordon Byron - “Don Juan”

“I’m looking for a hero!..” Thus begins the poem “Don Juan”, written by the great English poet George Gordon Byron. And his attention was attracted by a hero well known in world literature. But the image of the young Spanish nobleman Don Juan, who became a symbol of a seducer and womanizer, takes on Byron's new depth. He is unable to resist his passions. But often he himself becomes the object of harassment from women...

3. John Galsworthy - “The Forsyte Saga”

“The Forsyte Saga” is life itself, in all its tragedy, in joys and losses, a life that is not very happy, but accomplished and unique.
The first volume of “The Forsyte Saga” includes a trilogy consisting of novels: “The Owner,” “In the Loop,” “For Rent,” which presents the history of the Forsyte family over many years.

4. David Lawrence - “Women in Love”

David Herbert Lawrence shocked the consciousness of his contemporaries with the freedom with which he wrote about the relationship of the sexes. In the famous novels about the Brenguin family - “The Rainbow” (banned immediately after publication) and “Women in Love” (published in a limited edition, and in 1922 a censorship trial of its author took place) Lawrence describes the story of several married couples. Women in Love was filmed by Ken Russell in 1969 and won an Oscar.
“My great religion is the belief in blood and flesh, that they are wiser than the intellect. Our minds may make mistakes, but what our blood feels, believes, and says is always true.”

5. Somerset Maugham - “The Moon and a Penny”

One of best works Maugham. The novel about which literary critics have been arguing for many decades, but still cannot come to a consensus on whether history should be considered tragic life and the death of the English artist Strickland as a kind of “free biography” of Paul Gauguin?
Whether this is true or not, “The Moon and a Penny” still remains the true pinnacle of English literature of the 20th century.

6. Oscar Wilde - “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Oscar Wilde is a great English writer who gained fame as a brilliant stylist, an inimitable wit, an extraordinary personality of his time, a man whose name, through the efforts of enemies and a gossip-hungry mob, became a symbol of depravity. This edition includes famous novel“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is the most successful and most scandalous of all the books Wilde created.

7. Charles Dickens - “David Copperfield”

The famous novel “ David Copperfield” of the great English writer Charles Dickens has gained the love and recognition of readers all over the world. Largely autobiographical, this novel tells the story of a boy forced to fight alone against a cruel, bleak world inhabited by evil teachers, selfish factory owners and soulless servants of the law. In this unequal war, David can only be saved by moral firmness, purity of heart and extraordinary talent, capable of turning a dirty ragamuffin into the greatest writer in England.

8. Bernard Shaw - “Pygmalimon”

The play begins on a summer evening in Covent Garden in London. A sudden torrential downpour of rain caught the pedestrians by surprise and forced them to take shelter under the portal of St. Paul's Cathedral. Among those gathered were professor of phonetics Henry Higgins and researcher of Indian dialects Colonel Pickering, who specially came from India to see the professor. The unexpected meeting delights both. Men start lively conversation, which involves an incredibly dirty flower girl. Begging the gentlemen to buy a bouquet of violets from her, she makes such unimaginable inarticulate sounds that it horrifies Professor Higgins, who is discussing the advantages of his method of teaching phonetics. The disgruntled professor swears to the colonel that thanks to his lessons, this dirty woman can easily become a saleswoman in a flower shop, where now she won’t even be allowed to enter the door. Moreover, he swears that in three months he will be able to pass her off as the duchess at the envoy's reception.
Higgins gets down to business with great enthusiasm. Obsessed with the idea of ​​turning a simple street girl into a a real lady, he is absolutely confident of success, and does not think at all about the consequences of his experiment, which will radically change not only the fate of Eliza (that’s the girl’s name), but also his own life.

9. William Thackeray - “Vanity Fair”

The pinnacle of creativity of the English writer, journalist and graphic artist William Makepeace Thackeray was the novel “Vanity Fair”. All the characters in the novel - positive and negative - are involved, according to the author, in an “eternal circle of grief and suffering.” Full of events, rich in subtle observations of the life of its time, imbued with irony and sarcasm, the novel “Vanity Fair” took pride of place in the list of masterpieces of world literature.

10. Jane Austen - “Sense and Sensibility”

“Sense and Sensibility” is one of best novels wonderful English writer Jane Austen, rightly called the “first lady” of British literature. Among her most famous works are such masterpieces as “Pride and Prejudice”, “Emma”, “Northanger Abbey” and others. “Sense and Sensibility” is a so-called novel of manners, representing the love stories of two sisters: one of them is restrained and reasonable, the other is devoted with all passion emotional experiences. Heart dramas against the background of the conventions of society and ideas about duty and honor become a real “education of feelings” and are crowned with well-deserved happiness. Life large family, the characters of the characters and the twists and turns of the plot are described by Jane Austen easily, ironically and heartfeltly, with inimitable humor and purely English restraint.

Warm greetings to my readers!

Both small and big. Although today's lesson will be dedicated to rather first. We are waiting for English writers for children and their works. We will also touch on the “oldies” from the 19th century. And consider the “youth” of the 20th century. And I will also give you a list of where they are famous books and the famous ones are arranged in order of my sincere love :).

Let `s start?

• Lewis Carroll

Many people know this writer from his restless heroine Alice and her endless travels to Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The writer's biography itself is no less interesting than his books. He grew up in a large family - with 3 brothers and 7 sisters. He loved to draw and dreamed of becoming an artist.

The story itself tells us about a girl who finds herself in a wonderful magical world. Where he meets many interesting characters: and Cheshire cat, and the mad hatter, and the queen of cards.

• Roald Dahl

Roald was born in Wales into a Norwegian family. He spent most of his childhood in boarding houses. One of the latter was located next to the famous Cadbury chocolate factory. It is believed that it was then that the idea came to him to write his best children's story - “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

This story is about a boy, Charlie, who receives one of five tickets. This ticket will take him into the closed chocolate factory. Together with 4 other participants, he completes all the tasks in the factory and remains the winner.

• Rudyard Kipling

This author is known to us for his story "The Jungle Book", which tells about a boy named Mowgli who grew up among wild forests along with a variety of animals. Most likely, this story was inspired by his own childhood. The fact is that Rudyard was born and lived for the first 5 years of his life in India.

• Joanne Rowling

The most famous “storyteller” of our time gave us that same one. Joan wrote this story for her children. And at that time their family lived very poorly.

And the books themselves give us the opportunity to plunge into the world of magic and magic. The boy Harry finds out that he is a wizard and goes to Hogwarts school. Interesting adventures await him there.

It's cheaper to buy books here!

• Joan Aiken

This woman simply had to become a writer, because everyone in her family wrote: from her father to her sister. But Joan was engaged specifically in children's literature. So her most famous work was the story “A Piece of Heaven in a Pie.” And it was this story that our domestic TV channels filmed. True, this story is known to the Russian people under the name “Apple Pie”.

• Robert Louis Stevenson

Not a man - a pirate! You just want to shout “Hey-hey!”, because this man invented the pirate Captain Flint in his story “Treasure Island”. Hundreds of boys stayed up at night to follow the adventures of this hero.

The author himself was born in cold Scotland. He studied to be an engineer and lawyer. Moreover, his first book was published when Robert was only 16 years old, using money borrowed from his father. But he came up with the story about treasure island much later. And what’s interesting is while playing with my son. Together they drew a treasure map and came up with stories.

• John Tolkien

The creator of modern from another world - "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" - stories so fantastic and exciting that they take your breath away.

The author of the books, John, worked as a teacher. As a child, he learned to read early, so he did it often. He admitted that he hated the story “Treasure Island” with a fierce hatred, but madly loved “Alice in Wonderland.” The author himself wrote stories for which he was nicknamed “the father of fantasy.”

• Pamela Travers

This woman's real name is Helen. She was born in far, far away Australia. But at the age of 8 she moved with her mother to Wales. As a child, Pamela loved animals very much. She was fiddling around in the yard and imagining herself as a bird. As she grew up, she traveled a lot, but eventually returned to England.

One day she was asked to babysit two small and restless children. So, while playing, she began to invent a story about a nanny who carried things with her in a suitcase and who had an umbrella with a parrot-shaped handle. Then the plot develops on paper and this is how the world got the famous nanny Mary Poppins. The first book was followed by others - continuations of the story about the nanny.

I think we'll end here. Read interesting books, learn the language and develop. And don’t miss the opportunity to receive new blog articles instantly by email - subscribe to the newsletter.

See you again!

Check out the video below for some more great writers and their works that are worth reading!

The greatest writer of England, William Shakespeare, is the world's most famous playwright. He is the author of a dozen plays and hundreds of sonnets, and also owns the most famous poems and epitaphs.

Shakespeare's works have been translated into virtually all languages ​​of the world and truly famous William became only in the 19th century.

It is he who owns such works as “King Lear”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Macbeth”, “Othello” and “Hamlet”. Today there is no person who would not know famous expression: “To be or not to be? - that is the question!”

Arthur Conan Doyle

The well-known and beloved writer Arthur Conan Doyle was actually a doctor by training.

It is thanks to him that we know today about the brilliant Sherlock Holmes and the popular Professor Challenger, as well as the brave officer Gerard. Sir Arthur wrote a huge number of adventure, historical and humorous stories. He was passionate about cricket, politics and medicine all his life.

In 2004, documents and personal letters from politicians and the US President were found, valued at more than £2 million.

Agatha Christie

Her real name is Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller. She is the second most popular author in the world after William Shakespeare.

Her work has been translated into almost all languages ​​of the world and today the reader enjoys such masterpieces as “The Curious Incident at Styles”, “The Mysterious Assailant”, “Murder on the Golf Course”, “Poirot Investigates” and much more.

Charles Dickens

Even during his lifetime this great writer achieved popularity and became world famous. Charles John Huffam Dickens - world classic fiction. Dickens was born in 1812, lived for almost 60 years, but managed to write as many famous works as, perhaps, almost no one else could.

Charles received the great honor of Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. They say about him that he became the darling of fate and everyone’s favorite, especially among women. He is the author of such works as “Oliver Twist”, “Our Mutual Friend”, “ Big hopes», « Bleak House", "Copperfield" and much more.

Dickens came from a poor family, but thanks to his decent fees, he was able to provide himself and his loved ones with a comfortable life.

Rudyard Kipling

In 1865, the famous short story writer, poet and writer Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in India. When the boy was 5 years old, his family safely moved to England.

He became the author of many poems, prose and poems, for which he received Nobel Prize in 1907, and also received awards from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh. Kipling owns such famous works as “Kim”, “The Jungle Book”, “Brave Captains”, “Ganga Din”.

Rudyard was fond of journalism, thanks to which he perfectly understands the life of the country. And the travels that he regularly made as a writer helped him convey all the flavor of Asia and the USA.

Oscar Wilde

The great and talented Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854. The writer's father was a good doctor, for which he was knighted. The family was proud of the breadwinner, but Oscar decided to go his own way and began writing books about archeology and folklore.

Oscar studied at the Royal School and spoke French and German languages. At an older age, the guy began to become interested in antiquity and showed interest in ancient languages. Oscar Wilde traveled a lot and strived for knowledge all his life. He dedicated his works to his family and friends, as well as to the events that left a mark on his life.

The most popular works are “Sonnet to Liberty”, “Milton”, “Phaedra”, “Shelley’s Grave” and much more.

Joanne Rowling

One of the most famous modern women writers considered JK Rowling. Due to the family's frequent moves, the girl had no permanent friends, except that she was inseparable from her sister.

One day a girl meets an interesting person with the last name Potter, after which Joan comes up with the idea of ​​a brilliant work. So after some time, his studies at Hogwarts were born. Of course, the world did not see the book right away, however, it is thanks to it that today every schoolchild and student knows this brilliant English writer.

In the 90s, Joan moved to Portugal, where she taught English and continued working on the Potter books. There she meets her soulmate and gets married.

John Tolkien

There is probably no person today who has not watched or read “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.” But the author of these most famous creations is Oxford University professor John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. In 2008, the writer was in the top five best UK authors.

The family moved several times when the boy was still a child and then he lost his father. Nevertheless, the guy was very smart, well-read thanks to the efforts of his mother.

As a young man, he was inquisitive and read a lot, he already liked girls, and at the age of 21, Tolkien wrote a letter to his beloved proposing marriage. Their union turned out to be strong: they lived a long and happy life.

H.G. Wells

His family was poor, his father tried to trade, however, the business did not bring any income. The writer's family lived due to the fact that the father often played cricket. However, the boy was able to get an education and become a doctor of biology.

George taught and was actively involved in political life. After his death, many memorials were erected, and it is also said that George Wells brought light to many lives as he selflessly committed himself to the education of the poor.

Robert Lewis Stevenson

Stevenson Robert Lewis is a famous Scottish writer and author of many adventure stories and short stories. The boy was born in poor family, graduated from Edinburgh Academy and entered the university.

The child suffered several serious illnesses, in his youth, under family pressure, he got married. Stevenson's first edition was issued with his father's money, and it was then that the guy developed an interest in the history of his native Scotland. His stories were published in local newspapers and magazines.

The writer traveled a lot, but did not stop creating his masterpieces until his last day. Died great author in Samoa for stroke.

Daniel Defoe

In 1660, the great writer Daniel Defoe was born in London. The beloved work “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” made the author famous throughout the world and was translated into many languages.

By the way, it was Defoe who was recognized as the founder English novel. Throughout his life, Daniel published about 500 books, based on the plot of which films were made.

Defoe's family hoped that their son would become a shepherd, but the boy chose art and his first works were written on religious themes. Defoe received a good education, met influential people and even went to prison. Daniel Defoe met his death far from his family in 1731 in London.

Jonathan Swift

In 1667 the poet was born and public figure Jonathan Swift. The Anglican priest dreamed of making the world a better place, changing people, so he got the idea to write about human vices. This is how the work “Gulliver's Travels” appeared.

The writer was born into a poor Protestant family, his father died very early, so the child grew up in the family of a wealthy relative. I hardly saw my mother.

Nevertheless, the boy was able to get a good education, found decent job and in memory of his childhood and family history he wrote “Autobiographical Fragment.” He is the author of such works as “The Battle of the Books”, “Diary for Stella”, “A Butterfly’s Tale” and many poems and poems.

George Byron

George Gordon Byron, more commonly known as Lord Byron, is a writer who captured the imagination of not only Europe, but the whole world. A boy was born into a poor family: his father lost his fortune, and his mother returned from Europe with the little that was left.

The boy studied at a private school, then at a gymnasium, however, according to him, his nannies taught him more than all the teachers at school. Moreover, his mother did not experience great love to her son and often threw things at him that didn’t hit her.

He received the title of lord from his late grandfather, along with the family estate. In his youth, the writer loved to read and travel, which he was very proud of later. Byron wrote throughout his life.

He owns such famous works as “The Bride of Abydos”, “Jewish Melodies”, “Parisina”, “Tasso’s Complaint”, “Darkness”, “The Christian and His Comrades”. A city in Greece was named in memory of the great writer, and his portrait is also depicted on postage stamps.

Lewis Carroll

One of the most versatile personalities England is Lewis Carroll. He was a writer and was interested in photography, mathematics and philosophy. The most famous works became “Alice in Wonderland”, “Alice Through the Looking Glass”, and also “The Hunting of the Snark”.

The boy was born into a large family. There wasn’t much money, so his father took care of his education. Lewis was a smart and quick-witted child, he was left-handed, which his relatives were very unhappy with.

After some time, the boy went to school, and then in college he began his career as a writer. He sent his work to local newspapers and magazines. In 1867, Lewis went on his first and only trip, visiting Moscow and other European cities.

Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham is one of the most successful English writers of the 20th century. The future author was born into a successful French family. The parents hoped that the child would choose a career as a lawyer in the future, but the boy was not attracted to law. Until the age of 10, the child spoke only French, therefore, his father sent him to live with relatives in England.

There he became interested in medicine, studied at the hospital's school and wrote his first work, Lisa of Lambeth, about this experience. During the war, William even worked as a scout and was sent to Russia for a specific purpose.

After the war, the writer traveled a lot around Asia, which he talked about in his work. He also wrote "The Hero", "The Creation of the Saint", "The Conqueror of Africa", "Carousel" and many other novels.