Discover 10 Famous American Authors Who Changed Literature World

Discover 10 Famous American Authors Who Changed Literature World

Literature as an art has many horizons; it includes books, articles, critical reviews, and essays. At school, teachers assign homework writing tasks. Essays by famous American writers aim to prepare students for the potential career challenges associated with writing. Famous American authors who have introduced world’s best novels accomplished popular essays. Some of them describe one’s life. Other famous American writers represent native history of that time. 19th century was especially rich for the great essays.

A great essay can be more distinguished than a good novel. The most popular genres of essay include:

  • Non-fiction
  • Comedy
  • History
  • Current events
  • Personal reflection
  • Romance
  • Instructive
  • Biography

It’s up to the young author to choose one to practice. If you want to master the art of writing, consider these popular American writers. Read at least several papers published by them to improve your knowledge.

The article offers the list of top-preferred essays written by popular American writers. Find authors from various background and historical periods. Keep in mind the qualities of essay: brief, concise, attention-grabbing, and interesting.

10 Famous American Authors Every Young Writer Should Recognize

  1. James Baldwin

The first man to recall is James Baldwin. Born in 1924, the boy grew up with his stepfather who was an exemplar priest. Baldwin grew up with 8 children; he has never known anything about his dad, so his pain is felt in such pieces as “Tell me when the train left” or “Giovanni’s Room.” His literary career started in Greenwich Village. That place needed his hero who could cheer up the local population living in poverty.

Most of Baldwin’s texts oppose relevant for that time racism, explaining people must be all equal. Regular attacks force the famous artist to transfer to France.

Best essays of all time include several popular works of author:

  • “Notes of a Native Son” 
  • “The Evidence of Things Not Seen” 
  • “The Price of the Ticket”
  1. Scott Fitzgerald

Scoot F. Fitzgerald, born in 1896, is famous US short story writer and novelist. He best illustrates the Jazz Age; Fitzgerald is a dedicated, honored member of “Lost Generation” (1920s). 164 essays out of 4 collections of short stories were published in popular American magazines during his lifetime.

Fitzgerald was an optimistic person who described the inspiration and excesses of his age. Fitzgerald is the author of popular “The Great Gatsby,” which was remastered and filmed two times. Other famous author’s works are:

  • “This Side of Paradise”
  • “The Beautiful and the Damned”
  1. Norman Mailer

The citizen of New Jersey from the Jewish family managed to create several masterpieces. American artist Normal Mailer finished Harvard; this university made him love literature. At the age of 18, he started his writer’s career. Harvard rewarded the famous author with corresponding appreciation.

The best essays of Mailer include:

  • “The Presidential Papers”
  • “Pieces and Pontifications” (dedicated to Little Boston’s Life)

Find the best writing ideas by clicking on this link.

  1. Joan Didion

Female author Joan Didion is still available: she came from California and started to write her opening essays at the age of five. While her parents spend entire days at work, the little girl tried to read all possible books found in their apartment. Her Bachelor Degree (Arts and English language) helped her passion. She is among the famous essay writers of the 20th century as Didion predetermined modern culture by working in “Vogue” magazine. The popular author’s works involve:

  • “Salvador.”
  • “Run.”
  • After Henry (dedicated to Earth)
  1. Ernest Hemingway

Among all writers in US history, Hemingway was the true master of word; he introduced the shortest essays/stories made of six words! This popular American genius developed his distinctive style which is still copied by modern artists. Every essay he wrote was simple to read. He avoided introducing new topics or using complex words; you can see it from his most famous essays:

  • “The Garden of Eden”
  • “In Our Time”
  • “The Sun Also Rises”
  • “The Old Man and the Sea”
  1. Robert Atwan

Another famous writer is Robert Atwan. He was born in 1940; he comes from New Jersey. Two popular universities, Seton Hall and Rutgers, had this literature enthusiast among the top century students. American writer was focused on creating short stories during his lifetime:

  • “Great Moments in Literary Baseball” (you can guess what his favorite game is)
  • “Poems and Essays” (describing the seasons)
  1. Stephen King

This century knows Stephen King as the best American horror book author. He has famous essays among his literary works too: his popular essays belong to the categories: supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy. These pieces of literature focus on Maine State. Great pieces he wrote include:

  • “Head Down”
  • “Great Hookers I Have Known”
  1. David Foster Wallace

A famous American was born in 1968. His passion for philosophy turned into the love of literature; the author earned a degree in English language and literature. David Foster Wallace used literature as the tool to cure of regular depressions. Wallace died of the prescribed medicine, but he managed to share his best works with society:

  • “Television and U.S. Fiction” (funny story)
  • “A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again” and “Consider the Lobster.”
  1. John McPhee

Famous American writers of 20th century have John McPhee on the list. He is the pioneer of creative nonfiction; he won a Pulitzer Prize in his genre. Famous American author offered outstanding hook sentences which helped to grab target reader’s attention easily. He was teaching Journalism at Princeton University, sharing his best essays.

  • “Progression: How and What?”
  • The Search for Marvin Gardens”
  1. Susan Sontag

Famous American authors list includes Susan Sontag, a popular female writer from New York City. The girl had imaginary friends from books and famous American novels when she was young. The author successfully passed necessary exams to enter Harvard University where she learned English literature to obtain a Master of Philosophy. In Oxford, famous female faced serious gender concerns and challenged related issues in her initial essays. She moved to Paris to release the rest of her works being pressed in America.

  • “Against Interpretation”
  • “Regarding the Pain of Others Styles of Radical Will”

Once you read the suggested literature, you will have a clue of how a short story/essay must look! If you are interested in how to write short essay, read one more blog. If you wish to get a great custom piece, buy essay writing online with time-tested academic team!