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"Pindar, though the contemporary of Simonides, was considerably his junior. He was born either at, or in the neighborhood of Thebes in Baeotia, about the year 522 B.C. Later writers tell us that his future glory as a poet was miraculously foreshadowed by a swarm of bees which rested upon his lips when he was asleep, and that this miracle first led him to compose poetry. He commenced his profesional career at an early age, and soon acquired so great a reputation, that he was employed by various states and princes of the Hellenic race to compose choral songs." — Smith, 1882

Bust of Pindar

"Pindar, though the contemporary of Simonides, was considerably his junior. He was born either at, or…

Plato was a Classical Greek philosopher, who, together with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy. Plato was also a mathematician, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the western world. Plato was originally a student of Socrates, and was as much influenced by his thinking as by what he saw as his teacher's unjust death.

Plato

Plato was a Classical Greek philosopher, who, together with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle,…

An illustration of Plato, a Classical Greek philosopher, who, together with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy. Plato was also a mathematician, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the western world. Plato was originally a student of Socrates, and was as much influenced by his thinking as by what he saw as his teacher's unjust death.

Plato

An illustration of Plato, a Classical Greek philosopher, who, together with his mentor, Socrates, and…

"Plato was born in Athens in 429 B.C., the year in which Pericles died. His first literary attempts were in poetry; but his attention was soon turned to philosophy, by the teaching of Socrates, whose lectures he began to frequent at about the age of twenty." — Smith, 1882

Bust of Plato

"Plato was born in Athens in 429 B.C., the year in which Pericles died. His first literary attempts…

"Plutarch, as the great interpreter of Greece and Rome, exerted on generations succeeding him in influence perhaps greater than any other classical writer." — The Delphian Society, 1913

Plutarch

"Plutarch, as the great interpreter of Greece and Rome, exerted on generations succeeding him in influence…

(1811-1849) American author

Edgar A. Poe

(1811-1849) American author

"Edgar Allan Poe, the son of a Baltimore gentleman and an actress, Elizabeth Arnold, was born in Boston, January 19, 1809. He was left an orphan when three years old, and was adopted by a wealthy merchant in Richmond, Virginia, who gave him his own name for a middle name. Poe was well educated by his foster father and sent to the University of Virginia, but he was an ungovernable, wayward youth, keenly intellectual, brilliant, and restless. He ran into debt, enlisted in the army under an assumed name, published a small volume of poems, was for a while at West Point, and finally, thrown on his own resources, became editor of one magazine after another, married a mere girl, and came under the strong sane influence of her mother. He died finally in poverty and degradation, October 8, 1849, but he had written poems and tales which the world will not let die."—Scudder, 1897

Edgar Allan Poe

"Edgar Allan Poe, the son of a Baltimore gentleman and an actress, Elizabeth Arnold, was born in Boston,…

A noted poet, born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 19, 1809; died Oct. 7, 1849. He lost his parents when only two years of age, and was adopted by John Allan, a wealthy merchant of Richmond, Virginia.

Edgar Allan Poe

A noted poet, born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 19, 1809; died Oct. 7, 1849. He lost his parents when only…

(1809-1849) Famous poet and story writer best known for The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

Edgar Allan Poe

(1809-1849) Famous poet and story writer best known for The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Fall of the House…

Considered one of the greatest English poets of the eighteenth century.

Alexander Pope

Considered one of the greatest English poets of the eighteenth century.

William Hickling Prescott (May 4, 1796 – January 29, 1859) was an American historian.

William H. Prescott

William Hickling Prescott (May 4, 1796 – January 29, 1859) was an American historian.

An American author; born in Cambrdge, N.Y., Oct. 31, 1825.

William C. Prime

An American author; born in Cambrdge, N.Y., Oct. 31, 1825.

Edward Bouverie Pusey (22 August 1800 – 16 September 1882), was an English churchman and Regius Professor of Hebrew at Christ Church, Oxford. He was one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement.

Rev. Edward Bouverie Pusey

Edward Bouverie Pusey (22 August 1800 – 16 September 1882), was an English churchman and Regius…

A Cornish writer, who published unter the pen name of Q. Born in Cornwall, he was educated at Newton Abbot College, at Clifton College, and Trinity College, Oxford and later became a lecturer there.

Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

A Cornish writer, who published unter the pen name of Q. Born in Cornwall, he was educated at Newton…

A Renaissance writer, born in Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, France.

Francois Rabelais

A Renaissance writer, born in Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, France.

An eminent French dramatic poet; born in La Ferte Milon, France, Dec. 22, 1639, and was educated at Port Royal.

Jean Racine

An eminent French dramatic poet; born in La Ferte Milon, France, Dec. 22, 1639, and was educated at…

(1552-1618) English navigator and writer during the Elizabethan period. While imprisoned he wrote <I>The History of the World</I>

Sir Walter Raleigh

(1552-1618) English navigator and writer during the Elizabethan period. While imprisoned he wrote The…

A famed writer, poet, spy, and explorer.

Sir Walter Raleigh

A famed writer, poet, spy, and explorer.

Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh[1] (c. 1552 – 29 October 1618), was a famed English writer, poet, soldier, courtier and explorer.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh[1] (c. 1552 – 29 October 1618), was a famed English writer, poet, soldier,…

Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh (c. 1552 – 29 October 1618), was a famed English writer, poet, soldier, courtier and explorer. Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh (c. 1552 – 29 October 1618), was a famed English writer, poet, soldier,…

Sir Walter Raleigh, navigator, warrior, statesman, and writer in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I., was the second son of a gentleman of ancient family in Devonshire, and was born in 1552.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh, navigator, warrior, statesman, and writer in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I.,…

A Scottish poet, born at Leadhills, Lanarkshire to John Ramsay, superintendent of Lord Hopetoun's lead-mines and his wife, Alice Bower, a native to Derbyshire.

Allan Ramsay

A Scottish poet, born at Leadhills, Lanarkshire to John Ramsay, superintendent of Lord Hopetoun's lead-mines…

An English novelist and dramatist, best known for <em>The Cloister and the Hearth</em>

Charles Reade

An English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth

An English novelist and dramatist, best known for <em>The Cloister and the Hearth.</em>

Charles Reade

An English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth.

Whitelaw Reid (October 27, 1837 – December 15, 1912) was a U.S. politician and newspaper editor, as well as the author of a popular history of Ohio in the Civil War.

Whitelaw Reid

Whitelaw Reid (October 27, 1837 – December 15, 1912) was a U.S. politician and newspaper editor, as…

Reinmar was one of the most important Minnesingers in history. A Minnesinger is someone who wrote and performed poetry. Reinmar still has approximately 80 texts still in existannce.

Reinmar the Minnesinger

Reinmar was one of the most important Minnesingers in history. A Minnesinger is someone who wrote and…

(1823-1892) French author

Ernest Renan

(1823-1892) French author

An English novelist; born in Derbyshire, in 1689. Like Matthew Prior, he was the son of a joiner; but unlike him, he made no effort to obscure his origin.

Samuel Richardson

An English novelist; born in Derbyshire, in 1689. Like Matthew Prior, he was the son of a joiner; but…

A noted author, born in Wunsiedel, near Baireuth, Germany, March 21, 1763; died Nov. 24, 1825.

Johann Richter

A noted author, born in Wunsiedel, near Baireuth, Germany, March 21, 1763; died Nov. 24, 1825.

(1853- ) American author known as the Hoosier poet

J. Whitcomb Riley

(1853- ) American author known as the Hoosier poet

A beloved American writer and poet called the "Hoosier poet" and America's "Children's Poet" made a start writing newspaper verse in Hoosier dialect for the <em>Indianapolis Journal</em> in 1875.

James Riley

A beloved American writer and poet called the "Hoosier poet" and America's "Children's Poet" made a…

A journalist and statesman, born in Paris, France, Jan. 30, 1830. After attaining a liberal education, he engaged with the Paris "Figaro" as a writer of dramatic and art criticism, and later became a memeber of the editorial staff.

Victor Rocheport

A journalist and statesman, born in Paris, France, Jan. 30, 1830. After attaining a liberal education,…

An English poet, bown in Newington Green, London, July 30, 1763. His wealth, liberality, and social qualities gave his produtions a great vogue.

Samuel Rogers

An English poet, bown in Newington Green, London, July 30, 1763. His wealth, liberality, and social…

A famous English poet, painter, and translator.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

A famous English poet, painter, and translator.

One of the most celebrated and most influential writers of the 18th century, was the son of a watchmaker at Geneva. (1712-1778)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

One of the most celebrated and most influential writers of the 18th century, was the son of a watchmaker…

Famous author and poet.

John Ruskin

Famous author and poet.

An English author, poet and artist, although more famous for his work as art critic and social critic. Ruskin's thinking on art and architecture became the thinking of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

John Ruskin

An English author, poet and artist, although more famous for his work as art critic and social critic.…

An Ancient Greek lyric poet from the city of Eressos on the island of Lesbos, which was a cultural centre in the 7th century BC. She was born sometime between 630 BC and 612 BC. The bulk of her poetry is now lost, but her reputation in her time was immense, and she was reputedly considered by Plato as the tenth Muse.

Sappho

An Ancient Greek lyric poet from the city of Eressos on the island of Lesbos, which was a cultural centre…

A German poet, translator and critic.

August Schlegel

A German poet, translator and critic.

(1771-1854) English novelist

Sir Walter Scott

(1771-1854) English novelist

An eminent novelist, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 15, 1771; died at Abbotsford, Sept. 21, 1832.

Sir Walter Scott

An eminent novelist, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 15, 1771; died at Abbotsford, Sept. 21, 1832.

A poet and novelist. (1771-1832)

Sir Walter Scott

A poet and novelist. (1771-1832)

(5 B.C. - 65A.D.) Roman philosopher, statesman, and writer whose works were important to the evolution of theatre.

Seneca

(5 B.C. - 65A.D.) Roman philosopher, statesman, and writer whose works were important to the evolution…

(1564-1616) World's greatest poet and dramatist

William Shakespeare

(1564-1616) World's greatest poet and dramatist

Famous English poet and writer

William Shakespeare

Famous English poet and writer

Shakespeare was a famous writer during the 16th century

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare was a famous writer during the 16th century

An eminent poet and dramatist, born in Stratford-on-Avon, England, April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616. Though the most famous writer in English literature, his authentic biography is very brief.

William Shakespeare

An eminent poet and dramatist, born in Stratford-on-Avon, England, April 26, 1564; died April 23, 1616.…

A portrait of William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminate dramatist. His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narratives poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

William Shakespeare

A portrait of William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer…

The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminate dramatist. This portrait is attributed to Joseph Taylor, and dated to about 1610. The National Portrait Gallery located in London, who own it, say it is the only painting with any real claim to have been done from life. His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narratives poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

William Shakespeare

The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the…

The Stratford portrait of William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminate dramatist. His surviving works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narratives poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

William Shakespeare

The Stratford portrait of William Shakespeare, an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the…

An Irish playwright.

George Bernard Shaw

An Irish playwright.

A noted poet, born in Sussex, England, Aug. 4, 1792; died July 8, 1822. He was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Shelley, a man of wealthy and ancient parentage, and studied at Eton and Oxford University.

Percy Shelley

A noted poet, born in Sussex, England, Aug. 4, 1792; died July 8, 1822. He was the eldest son of Sir…

(1792-1822) English poet.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

(1792-1822) English poet.

William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 &ndash; February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861&ndash;65), for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched earth" policies that he implemented in conducting total war against the Confederate States. Military historian Basil Liddell Hart famously declared that Sherman was "the first modern general".

General Sherman

William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman,…

An American soldier, businessman, and author. He served as a general in the United States Army during the American Civil War, achieving both recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy, and criticism for the harshnes of the "scorched earth" policies he implemented in conducting total war against the enemy.

William Sherman

An American soldier, businessman, and author. He served as a general in the United States Army during…

(1823- ) English scholar and writer

Goldwin Smith

(1823- ) English scholar and writer

A clergyman and author, born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 21, 1808; died there Nov. 16, 1895. After graduating from Harvard University and Andover Theological Seminary, he became a pastor of the Baptist Church, securing the charge in Waterville, Maine, in 1832.

Samuel Smith

A clergyman and author, born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 21, 1808; died there Nov. 16, 1895. After graduating…

(c. 496-406 BCE) Tragic playwright of Ancient Greece. He wrote many famous plays including Electra, Anitogne and Oedipus Rex.

Sophocles

(c. 496-406 BCE) Tragic playwright of Ancient Greece. He wrote many famous plays including Electra,…

(c. 496-406 B.C.) Tragic playwright of Ancient Greece. He wrote many famous plays including Electra, Antigone and Oedipus Rex.

Sophocles

(c. 496-406 B.C.) Tragic playwright of Ancient Greece. He wrote many famous plays including Electra,…

English poet

Spenser

English poet