Whether you had to learn about them in secondary school or took a University literature course, you should be familiar with British authors. Britain has given us some of the most beloved authors. From Eliot to Fleming, their stories reflect humanity’s issues, like poverty, love, death, and grief. The following are just some of the best British authors of our time. 

Charles Dickens

You might have seen A Christmas Carol when the holidays came around, but have you read the book? It’s one of the dozens that Dickens wrote in his lifetime. He was known for releasing chapters of his novels in weekly periodicals. An advocate for the poor of England, he spoke tirelessly against child labour.

Jane Austen

Though Jane Austen became famous for her romantic novels, she never married. Her stories are seen as parodies of British society during her lifetime. They have inspired numerous movies and works of historical fiction. From Emma to Mansfield Park, Austen published her novels anonymously. 

Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte was one of three sisters who wrote and published using pen names. Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Brontë lived during a time in which female authors were not taken seriously, so they were forced to use the aliases of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. While Brontë is best known for her novels, she was able to use her words to take a modest, feminist stand against the male-dominated society.

C.S. Lewis

Born in Northern Ireland, C.S. Lewis is known best for the Chronicles of Narnia series. The former WW1 soldier and Oxford and Cambridge University professor also wrote a collection of Christian works. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, originally a radio broadcast during the Great War, was turned into a novel and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

Roald Dahl

Mostly known for childhood classics, Roald Dahl also dabbled in adult short stories. Known best for James and the Giant Peach and Willy Wonka, Dahl created many unique characters who lived in fascinating worlds. Dahl spent the later parts of his career focusing on his short story collections which can still be found on bookshelves at your local bookshop. 

The United Kingdom has given us no shortage of talented authors, and they have written about a great variety of topics. If you’re looking for a good read, start with these five classics, then dig further to discover more treasures.