If you’re a fan of literary fiction, have you spent time reading through the novels of the greats of the genre? America has some of the most important figures in literary history. These individuals penned some of the most impressive, inspiring, and influential books ever written, making a huge impact on future writers and their audiences. They changed the industry with the power of the words they wrote.

Immersing yourself in the works of masters of literary fiction tickles your brain with possibility and bubbles the imagination into a frenzy. They’ve provided inspiration to a new generation of writers, giving them the skills and wherewithal, they need to achieve greatness themselves. 

There’s an argument in literary circles that’s as old as the genre itself. Who are the most famous and prolific American literary authors of all time? 

#1 Ernest Hemingway (1899 to 1961)

Born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, Ernest Hemmingway entered adolescence during the outbreak of the First World War. He entered the war as an ambulance driver in Europe before experiencing an injury resulting in his discharge from the military and a return to the United States as a wounded combat veteran. 

After returning to the United States, Hemmingway sought work as a journalist before making the decision to turn to a career as a novelist. The Sun Also Rises is possibly his most renowned work. While it didn’t receive much industry acclaim on its release, it’s gone on to become one of the most iconic American novels ever written.

Hemmingway went on to pen notable works such as The Old Man in the Sea, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and A Farewell to Arms.

#2 F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896 to 1940)

While he had what most would consider a short life, F. Scott Fitzgerald deserves his reputation as one of the most iconic American authors of all time. Fitzgerald was born into wealth but experiences challenges with finding romance and love in his life.

These struggles inspired his writing, and at age 24, he published This Side of Paradise, one of his most memorable works. His work on the novel eventually led him to find and marry the love of his life, Zelda Sayre.

Shortly after their union, the couple immigrated the Paris, where he penned his iconic work, The Great Gatsby. Surprisingly, like Hemingway, the book wasn’t received well upon its release but became one of the best literary works of all time.

#3 Mark Twain (1835 to 1910)

Mark Twain is one of the greats of American writing. Using the pen name “Samuel Clemens,” Twain had a career as a miner in Nevada, a Confederate army soldier, and a steamboat driver during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

He based his work on his life experience, of which he had plenty. Twain’s first work, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, was a huge success, positioning him as a prolific author right out of the gates.

He went on to write several bestsellers, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Prince of the Pauper, all of which are American classics read by generations of Americans through the decades. It’s no surprise Twain has the title of the father of American literature.

#4 Toni Morrison (1931 to 2019)

American literary history has a large male influence, and Toni Morrison disrupted this trend. Morrison earned her reputation as one of the best authors in modern American writing. Born in Ohio to Ramah and George Wofford, Morrison studied at Howard University and Cornell.

She took her first job as an English teacher at Howard University, and taught at Texas Southern University. She decided to leave teaching for a position Random House publishing, becoming its first African-American editor.

She published The Bluest Eye in 1970 but didn’t receive much attention. It was her book, Song of Solomon, published in 1977 that saw her experience commercial success, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1978. 

In 1987 she published her most well-known work, Beloved, topping the bestseller list for 25 weeks and earning her the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1988. 

#5 John Steinbeck (1902 – 1968)

John Steinbeck is not only one of the American greats but one of the most influential and remembered writers of the 20th century. Steinbeck studied English literature at Stanford University but never graduated.

His lack of formal education didn’t deter him from seeking a career as a writer. His love for literature took him on a winding path to success. After finishing his studies, Steinbeck decided to travel to new locations in the hope of creating a fresh start for himself.

He would leave Stanford for New York City, finding work in various jobs while trying to write his first novel. After failing to publish anything, Steinbeck moved back to California, where he published his first book, Cup of Gold, in 1929.

“Tortilla Flat,” published in 1935, was well-received, establishing him in his career. However, his biggest success would come from Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and East of Eden. Steinbeck published 33 books during his career, with many earning the title of American classics. He’s truly one of the most iconic American writers in history.

#6 J. D. Salinger (1919 to 2010)

Jerome David Salinger studied at Columbia University and  New York University. He devoted himself to his writing career after graduating, publishing his writing in periodic publications during 1940. He was drafted into WWII in 1942, finding himself on the battlefield during some of the biggest events of the war, such as the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day.

After returning from the war, Salinger put his experience on paper, publishing his iconic work The Catcher in the Rye. Unfortunately, Salinger’s success also brought him unwanted attention, turning him into a recluse.

He would continue to publish other books, including Raise High in the Roof Beam, Carpenters, and Seymour: An Introduction. Salinger would eventually die in 2010 at the age of 80.