1. William Shakespeare: Considered one of the greatest playwrights in history, William Shakespeare's works include tragedies like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, as well as comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream and Much Ado About Nothing.
2. Jane Austen: Known for her witty social commentary and romantic novels, Jane Austen's most famous works include Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma.
3. Ernest Hemingway: A master of minimalist writing style, Hemingway's works often focused on war and his own international experiences. His notable works include The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms.
4. F. Scott Fitzgerald: A prominent figure during the Roaring Twenties, Fitzgerald's works explored American society and the excesses of the era. His most famous work, The Great Gatsby, is considered a classic of American literature.
5. George Orwell: An important figure in modern political writing, Orwell's works often criticized totalitarianism and authoritarian governments. His most famous works include Animal Farm and 1984.
6. Charles Dickens: A prominent Victorian-era writer, Dickens explored themes of poverty, class struggle, and redemption in his works. His notable works include Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations.
7. Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Considered one of the greatest writers of Latin American literature, Marquez's works often explored magical realism and surrealism. His most famous works include One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera.
8. Virginia Woolf: An influential writer during the early 20th century, Woolf's works often challenged conventional ideas about gender roles and societal norms. Her notable works include Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.
9. J.K. Rowling: The author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling's works are beloved by readers of all ages. Her books have inspired a global fandom and have been adapted into successful films.
10. Harper Lee: Known for her only published novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee's work explored themes of racism and injustice in the American South. The book has become a literary classic and is often taught in schools.