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Famous people from English

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Explore the breadth of English achievement through figures who shaped language, culture, and public life. Spanning centuries, writers, philosophers, artists, and leaders advanced ideas, told lasting stories, and took actions that continue to resonate. Their lives reflect distinct eras and perspectives, from literary innovation and aesthetic movements to scientific inquiry, civic reform, and diplomacy, revealing how creativity and influence intersect. Encounter enduring legacies, lesser-known breakthroughs, and the contexts that forged them, a welcoming gateway to the people who defined and redefined English identity.

View all Quotes from English authors
Author Profession Quotes Year
A. A. Milne, Tiny A. A. Milne Author 19 1882 - 1956
A. E. Housman Poet 18 1859 - 1936
A. P. Herbert Statesman 8 1890 - 1971
Aaron Hill Poet 6 1685 - 1750
Abraham Cowley, Tiny Abraham Cowley Poet 11 1618 - 1667
Acker Bilk Musician 2 1929 - 2014
Ada Cambridge Writer 4 1844 - 1926
Adam Faith Musician 3 1940 - 2003
Adela Florence Nicolson Poet 5 1865 - 1904
Adelaide Anne Procter Poet 7 1825 - 1864
Adele, Tiny Adele Musician 14 1988
Adrian Edmondson Actor 21 1957
Adrian Lyne Director 18 1941
Adrian Smith Musician 4 1957
Agatha Christie, Tiny Agatha Christie Writer 32 1890 - 1976
Alain de Botton Writer 14 1969
Alan Ayckbourn Playwright 2 1939
Alan Bennett, Tiny Alan Bennett Dramatist 15 1934
Alan Brien Novelist 3 1925 - 2008
Alan Clark, Tiny Alan Clark Politician 5 1928 - 1999
Alan Shearer Athlete 4 1970
Alan Smith, Tiny Alan Smith Athlete 1 1980
Alan Sugar Businessman 1 1947
Alan Watts, Tiny Alan Watts Philosopher 42 1915 - 1973
Alcuin Clergyman 3 735 - 804
Aldous Huxley, Tiny Aldous Huxley Novelist 90 1894 - 1963
Alec Guinness, Tiny Alec Guinness Actor 5 1914 - 2000
Aleister Crowley Critic 25 1875 - 1947
Alexander Cockburn Lawyer 6 1941
Alexander John Ellis Writer 2 1814 - 1890
Alexander Pope, Tiny Alexander Pope Poet 89 1688 - 1744
Alexis Korner Musician 17 1928 - 1984
Alfred Lord Tennyson, Tiny Alfred Lord Tennyson Poet 40 1809 - 1892
Alfred Marshall Economist 18 1842 - 1924
Alfred Molina Actor 10 1953
Alfred North Whitehead, Tiny Alfred North Whitehead Mathematician 48 1861 - 1947
Alfred Noyes, Tiny Alfred Noyes Poet 4 1880 - 1958
Algernon Charles Swinburne Poet 7 1837 - 1909
Algernon H. Blackwood Writer 5 1869 - 1951
Algernon Sidney Politician 4 1623 - 1683
Algernon Sydney Politician 18 1623 - 1683
Alice Meynell, Tiny Alice Meynell Poet 11 1847 - 1922
Alicia Markova Dancer 1 1910 - 2004
Alvin Lee Musician 20 1944 - 2013
Amanda Pays Actress 2 1959
Andrew Eldritch Musician 18 1959
Andrew Marvell Writer 4 1621 - 1678
Andrew Morton Writer 5 1953
Andrew Motion Poet 4 1952
Andrew Wiles Mathematician 30 1953
Andy Partridge Musician 21 1953
Andy Pick Coach 2 1963
Andy Summers Musician 29 1942
Andy Taylor 25 1961
Angela Carter, Tiny Angela Carter Novelist 32 1940 - 1992
Anita Roddick, Tiny Anita Roddick Businessman 26 1942 - 2007
Ann Macbeth Author 26 1875 - 1948
Anna Friel Actress 22 1976
Anna Lee Actress 6 1913 - 2004
Anna Neagle, Tiny Anna Neagle Actress 12 1904 - 1986
Anna Seward Writer 2 1747 - 1809
Anna Sewell Writer 4 1820 - 1878
Anne Boleyn Royalty 4
Anne Campbell Politician 15 1940
Anne Dudley Composer 12 1956
Anne Hathaway, Tiny Anne Hathaway Actress 3 1555 - 1623
Anne Seward Poet 6 1747 - 1809
Annie Besant Philosopher 5 1847 - 1933
Anthea Turner Entertainer 11 1960
Anthony Caro Sculptor 3 1924 - 2013
Anthony Collins Philosopher 3 1676 - 1729
Anthony Daniels Actor 3 1946
Anthony Eden Politician 7 1897 - 1977
Anthony Storr Author 4 1920 - 2001
Anthony Trollope, Tiny Anthony Trollope Author 55 1815 - 1882
Aphra Behn Dramatist 10 1640 - 1689
Arnold Bennett Novelist 24 1867 - 1931
Arthur Hugh Clough Poet 7 1819 - 1861
Arthur Peacocke, Tiny Arthur Peacocke Theologian 8 1924 - 2006
Arthur W. Pinero, Tiny Arthur W. Pinero Playwright 3 1855 - 1934
Arthur Young Writer 5 1741 - 1820
Athene Seyler Actress 1 1889 - 1990
Auberon Herbert Philosopher 17 1838 - 1906
Augustine Birrell Author 7 1850 - 1933
Augustus Hare Writer 25 1834 - 1903
Austin Dobson, Tiny Austin Dobson Celebrity 5 1912 - 1963
Austin Farrer Theologian 2 1904 - 1968
Aynsley Dunbar Musician 2 1946
Barbara Cartland Novelist 11 1901 - 2000
Barbara Hepworth Artist 8 1903 - 1975
Barbara Taylor Bradford Novelist 3 1933
Barnabe Barnes Poet 2
Barrie Keeffe Dramatist 1 1945
Barry Cornwall, Tiny Barry Cornwall Poet 12 1787 - 1874
Barry Gibb Musician 37 1946
Barton Booth Actor 2 1681 - 1733
Basil C. Hume 3
Basil Hume Clergyman 1 1923 - 1999
Basil Rathbone Actor 5 1892 - 1967
Beatrix Potter Author 4 1866 - 1943
Ben Jonson, Tiny Ben Jonson Poet 31 1572 - 1637
Ben Kingsley Actor 44 1943
Benjamin Britten, Tiny Benjamin Britten Composer 4 1913 - 1976
Benjamin Cohen Journalist 20 1982
Benjamin Jowett, Tiny Benjamin Jowett Theologian 15 1817 - 1893
Benny Hill Comedian 8 1924 - 1992
Bernard de Mandeville Philosopher 6 1670 - 1733
Bernard Levin Journalist 5 1928 - 2004
Bernard Williams, Tiny Bernard Williams Philosopher 18 1929 - 2003
Bernie Ecclestone Businessman 3 1930
Bernie Taupin Writer 1 1950
Beryl Bainbridge Novelist 5 1934 - 2010
Beth Gibbons Musician 13 1965
Beverley Nichols Writer 2 1898 - 1983
Bill Nighy Actor 3 1949
Bill Owen Actor 2 1914 - 1999
Bishop Robert South Theologian 10 1634 - 1716
Bob Paisley Athlete 5 1919 - 1996
Bobby Charlton Athlete 2 1937 - 2023
Bobby Moore, Tiny Bobby Moore Athlete 3 1941 - 1993
Boy George Musician 29 1961
Boz Burrell Musician 2 1946 - 2006
Bradley Chicho Poet 14 1895
Brenda Blethyn Actress 24 1946
Brian Aldiss Writer 9 1925 - 2017
Brian Clough Athlete 18 1935 - 2004
Brian Lumley Writer 18 1937
Brian May Musician 32 1947
Brian Sibley Writer 4 1949
Brigid Brophy Novelist 1 1929 - 1995
Brooke Foss Westcott Theologian 2 1825 - 1901
Bruce Dickinson Musician 20 1958
Bryan Ferry Musician 32 1945
Bryan Robson Athlete 14 1957
C. Day Lewis Poet 4 1904 - 1972
C. S. Calverley Poet 1 1831 - 1884
C. S. Forester Novelist 18 1899 - 1966
Cat Deeley Celebrity 13 1976
Catherine McCormack Actress 4 1972
Cecil Beaton Photographer 12 1904 - 1980
Charles Babbage, Tiny Charles Babbage Mathematician 30 1791 - 1871
Charles Bradlaugh Activist 4 1833 - 1891
Charles Buxton Public Servant 10 1823 - 1871
Charles Caleb Colton, Tiny Charles Caleb Colton Writer 70 1780 - 1832
Charles Churchill Poet 13
Charles Cotton Poet 1 1630 - 1687
Charles Dance Actor 13 1946
Charles Darwin, Tiny Charles Darwin Scientist 30 1809 - 1882
Charles Dickens, Tiny Charles Dickens Novelist 59 1812 - 1870
Charles Edward Montague Journalist 6 1867 - 1928
Charles Kingsley Clergyman 20 1819 - 1875
Charles Lamb, Tiny Charles Lamb Critic 38 1775 - 1834
Charles Reade Novelist 6 1814 - 1884
Charles Simeon Clergyman 8 1759 - 1836
Charles Stuart Calverley Poet 3 1831 - 1884
Charles Tennyson Turner Poet 3 1808 - 1879
Charles Townshend Politician 1 1725 - 1767
Charles Williams Editor 13 1886 - 1945
Charlie Chaplin, Tiny Charlie Chaplin Actor 40 1889 - 1977
Charlie Hunnam Actor 21 1980
Charlotte Mary Yonge Novelist 2 1823 - 1901
Charlotte Smith Poet 5 1749 - 1806
Chris Barber Musician 5 1930 - 2021
Chris Lowe, Tiny Chris Lowe Musician 15 1959
Christiane Amanpour Journalist 32 1958
Christina G. Rossetti Poet 3 1830 - 1894
Christine Keeler Model 26 1942
Christopher Anstey, Tiny Christopher Anstey Poet 1 1724 - 1805
Christopher Dawson, Tiny Christopher Dawson Writer 30 1889 - 1970
Christopher Eccleston Actor 36 1964
Christopher Fry Playwright 13 1907 - 2005
Christopher Lee, Tiny Christopher Lee Actor 2 1922
Christopher Marlowe, Tiny Christopher Marlowe Dramatist 25 1564 - 1593
Christopher Smart Poet 1 1722 - 1771
Christopher Wren Architect 3 1632 - 1723
Claire Forlani Actress 30 1972
Clement Attlee Leader 6 1883 - 1967
Cliff Richard Musician 33 1940
Clive Anderson Entertainer 2 1952
Clive Barker Writer 9 1952
Clive Barnes Journalist 2 1927 - 2008
Clive Bell Critic 14 1881 - 1964
Clive Owen Actor 8 1964
Colin Chapman, Tiny Colin Chapman Inventor 1 1928 - 1982
Colin Cooper Athlete 1 1967
Colin Wilson, Tiny Colin Wilson Writer 28 1931 - 2013
Coventry Patmore Poet 2 1823 - 1896
Craig Raine Poet 2
Cyril Connolly Journalist 45 1903 - 1974
Cyril Falls Historian 3 1888 - 1971
Cyril Tourneur Dramatist 2 1575 - 1626
Daisy Ashford Writer 4 1881 - 1972
Daley Thompson, Tiny Daley Thompson Athlete 8 1958
Damon Albarn, Tiny Damon Albarn Musician 17 1968
Dan Hawkins Musician 20 1976
Daniel Defoe Journalist 16 1660 - 1731
Danielle Dax Musician 7 1958
Danny Boyle Director 5 1956
Dante G. Rossetti Poet 3 1828 - 1882
Daphne du Maurier Novelist 7 1907 - 1989
Dave Holland Musician 4 1946
Dave Jones Coach 1 1956
Dave Rowntree Musician 14 1963
David Bailey Photographer 9 1938
David Coverdale Musician 22 1951
David Crystal Educator 4
David Edward Jenkins Clergyman 2 1925
David Frost, Tiny David Frost Journalist 8 1939 - 2013
David Garrick Actor 6 1717 - 1779
David Gower Athlete 12 1957
David Herbert Lawrence, Tiny David Herbert Lawrence Writer 85 1885 - 1930
David Hockney, Tiny David Hockney Artist 25 1937
David Hunt Politician 7 1942
David Icke Athlete 16 1952
David Niven Actor 10 1909 - 1983
David Ogilvy, Tiny David Ogilvy Businessman 48 1911 - 1999
Dean Inge, Tiny Dean Inge Philosopher 27 1860 - 1954
Dean Stanley Priest 3 1815 - 1881
Denis Norden Writer 11 1922 - 2018
Derek Bailey Musician 20 1932 - 2005
Desmond Morris, Tiny Desmond Morris Scientist 8 1928
Diana Cooper Celebrity 3 1892 - 1986
Diana Wynne Jones Writer 13 1934
Dinah Maria Mulock Novelist 5 1826 - 1887
Dinah Sheridan, Tiny Dinah Sheridan Actress 14 1920
Dirk Bogarde Actor 6 1921 - 1999
Dixie Dean Athlete 3 1907 - 1980
Dodie Smith Dramatist 7 1896 - 1990
Donald Pleasence Actor 24 1919 - 1995
Donald Sinden Actor 1 1923
Dora Russell Celebrity 12 1894 - 1986
Doris Lessing Writer 29 1919 - 2013
Douglas Jerrold Playwright 3 1803 - 1857
Douglas William Jerrold, Tiny Douglas William Jerrold Dramatist 14 1803 - 1857
Dudley North Economist 10 1641 - 1691
E. F. Schumacher, Tiny E. F. Schumacher Economist 11 1911 - 1977
E. M. Forster, Tiny E. M. Forster Novelist 70 1879 - 1970
Ed O'Brien Musician 24 1968
Eddie Marsan Actor 8 1968
Edmond Halley Scientist 3 1656 - 1742
Edmund Gunter Mathematician 1 1581 - 1626
Edmund Spenser Poet 11 1552 - 1599
Edmund Waller Poet 22 1606 - 1687
Edward Appleton Scientist 2 1892 - 1965
Edward Bach Scientist 3 1886 - 1936
Edward Bond, Tiny Edward Bond Playwright 34 1934
Edward Burnett Tylor Scientist 20 1832 - 1917
Edward Carpenter Activist 17 1844 - 1929
Edward Cocker Author 2
Edward Coke Businessman 16 1552 - 1634
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