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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
Edward de Bono Psychologist 28 1933 - 2021
Edward Dyer Poet 5
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton, Tiny Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton Politician 40 1803 - 1873
Edward Gibbon, Tiny Edward Gibbon Historian 31 1737 - 1794
Edward Hall Lawyer 14
Edward Heath Leader 5 1916 - 2005
Edward Lear Artist 4 1812 - 1888
Edward Norman Historian 1 1938
Edward Teach Celebrity 2 1675 - 1718
Edward V. Lucas Writer 8 1868 - 1938
Edward VIII Royalty 4 1894 - 1972
Edward Walker Athlete 2 1837 - 1906
Edward Young, Tiny Edward Young Poet 41 1681 - 1765
Eileen Caddy Celebrity 13 1917 - 2006
Elaine Paige Musician 8 1948
Eleanor Robson Belmont Actress 2 1879 - 1979
Eli Khamarov, Tiny Eli Khamarov Writer 11 1948
Elinor Glyn Author 4 1864 - 1943
Eliza Cook Poet 5 1818 - 1889
Elizabeth Barton Celebrity 2
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Scientist 3 1836 - 1917
Elizabeth Goudge Writer 3 1900 - 1984
Elizabeth Hurley Actress 9 1965
Elizabeth I, Tiny Elizabeth I Royalty 33 1533 - 1603
Elizabeth Jennings Poet 2 1926 - 2001
Elizabeth Missing Sewell Writer 2 1815 - 1906
Elizabeth Taylor Actress 29 1932 - 2011
Ellen Terry Actress 9 1847 - 1928
Ellen Wilkinson Politician 5 1891 - 1947
Elton John Musician 33 1947
Emily Bronte Novelist 16 1818 - 1848
Emily Watson Actress 19 1967
Emma Thompson, Tiny Emma Thompson Actress 29 1959
Emmeline Pankhurst Activist 5 1858 - 1928
Eric Idle Comedian 9 1943
Ernest Bramah, Tiny Ernest Bramah Writer 4 1868 - 1942
Ernest Dowson Poet 3 1867 - 1900
Ernest Newman Critic 3 1868 - 1959
Estelle Morris Politician 28 1952
Eustace Budgell Writer 2 1686 - 1737
Evelyn Beatrice Hall, Tiny Evelyn Beatrice Hall Author 1 1868 - 1939
Evelyn Underhill, Tiny Evelyn Underhill Writer 16 1875 - 1941
F. L. Lucas Critic 9 1894 - 1967
Fanny Burney Novelist 7 1752 - 1840
Fanny Kemble Actress 15 1809 - 1893
Fay Weldon Novelist 12 1933
Felicity Kendal Actress 12 1946
Frances Burney Writer 8 1752 - 1840
Frances Cornford Poet 1 1886 - 1960
Francesca Annis Actress 38 1944
Francis Asbury Clergyman 2 1745 - 1816
Francis Atterbury Politician 3 1663 - 1732
Francis Bacon, Tiny Francis Bacon Philosopher 105 1561 - 1626
Francis Beaumont Playwright 13 1584 - 1616
Francis Crick Scientist 22 1916 - 2004
Francis Darwin Scientist 2 1848 - 1925
Francis Drake Soldier 1 1540 - 1596
Francis Quarles Poet 27 1592 - 1644
Francis W. Newman Writer 4 1805 - 1897
Francis Walsingham Celebrity 5 1532 - 1590
Frank Hornby Inventor 1 1863 - 1936
Frank Lampard Athlete 19 1978
Frank Muir, Tiny Frank Muir Writer 2 1920 - 1998
Frank Whittle, Tiny Frank Whittle Inventor 4 1907 - 1996
Fred Davis, Tiny Fred Davis Celebrity 3 1913 - 1998
Fred Frith Composer 22 1949
Frederick Marryat Novelist 2 1792 - 1848
Frederick Pollock Judge 17 1845 - 1937
Frederick Soddy Scientist 16 1877 - 1956
Frederick Tennyson Poet 2 1807 - 1898
Frederick William Robertson Clergyman 20 1816 - 1853
Freya Stark Writer 9 1893 - 1993
G. M. Trevelyan Historian 12 1876 - 1962
Gary Oldman Actor 39 1958
Gavin Bryars Composer 25 1943
Geezer Butler Musician 27 1949
Geoff Downes Musician 7 1952
Geoffrey Chaucer Poet 19 1343 - 1400
Geoffrey Wilkinson Scientist 1 1921 - 1996
George Cadbury Businessman 1 1839 - 1922
George Canning, Tiny George Canning Statesman 7 1770 - 1827
George Carey Clergyman 26 1935
George Carman Lawyer 5 1929 - 2001
George Chapman Poet 17
George Colman Dramatist 6
George Crabbe Poet 11 1754 - 1832
George Downing Soldier 2
George Edward Moore Philosopher 7 1873 - 1958
George Etherege Dramatist 2
George Fox Clergyman 6 1624 - 1691
George Grove Writer 2 1820 - 1900
George Henry Lewes, Tiny George Henry Lewes Philosopher 33 1817 - 1878
George III, Tiny George III Royalty 6 1738 - 1820
George Jessel Judge 4 1824 - 1883
George Linnaeus Banks Writer 3 1821 - 1881
George Martin Producer 9 1926 - 2016
George Meredith, Tiny George Meredith Novelist 22 1828 - 1909
George Montagu Scientist 1 1753 - 1815
George Muller Clergyman 5 1805 - 1898
George Percy Explorer 1 1580 - 1632
George Porter Scientist 4 1920 - 2002
George Saintsbury Writer 11 1845 - 1933
George Savile, Tiny George Savile Politician 28 1726 - 1784
George Sewell Actor 2 1924
George Stephenson Inventor 4 1781 - 1848
George Sutherland Judge 4 1862 - 1942
George Vancouver, Tiny George Vancouver Explorer 3 1757 - 1798
George Villiers Politician 6 1592 - 1628
George Whitefield, Tiny George Whitefield Clergyman 30 1714 - 1770
Gerald Brenan Writer 14 1894 - 1987
Gerald Durrell Writer 2 1925 - 1995
Gerald Massey, Tiny Gerald Massey Poet 2 1828 - 1907
Gerald Priestland Journalist 1 1927 - 1991
Gerard Manley Hopkins Poet 10 1844 - 1889
Gilbert K. Chesterton, Tiny Gilbert K. Chesterton Writer 112 1874 - 1936
Gilbert White Scientist 13 1720 - 1793
Giles Gilbert Scott Architect 2 1880 - 1960
Glenn Tipton Musician 23 1948
Graeme Le Saux Athlete 18 1968
Graham Kerr Celebrity 3 1934
Graham Nelson Mathematician 19
Graham Roberts Actor 14 1929 - 2004
Graham Taylor Coach 5 1944 - 2017
Greer Garson Actress 2 1908 - 1996
Guy Pearce Actor 6 1967
H. G. Bohn Publisher 8 1796 - 1884
H.G. Wells, Tiny H.G. Wells Author 41 1866 - 1946
Hannah Cowley Dramatist 4 1743 - 1809
Hannah More Writer 10 1745 - 1833
Harold Acton Historian 2 1904 - 1994
Harold Larwood Athlete 4 1904 - 1995
Harold Macmillan, Tiny Harold Macmillan Politician 27 1894 - 1986
Harold Pinter, Tiny Harold Pinter Playwright 34 1930 - 2008
Harold Wilson, Tiny Harold Wilson Statesman 14 1916 - 1995
Harriet Martineau Writer 19 1802 - 1876
Harry Banks Soldier 1 1896 - 1915
Harry Vardon Athlete 5 1870 - 1937
Henry Austin Dobson Poet 2 1840 - 1921
Henry Bessemer Scientist 10 1813 - 1898
Henry Bolingbroke Royalty 5 1367 - 1413
Henry Chadwick Writer 5 1824 - 1908
Henry Constable Poet 1
Henry Fielding Novelist 34 1707 - 1754
Henry Fox Statesman 2 1705 - 1774
Henry Green Novelist 1 1905 - 1973
Henry Hudson Explorer 4
Henry James Byron Dramatist 2 1835 - 1884
Henry James Sumner Maine Historian 14 1822 - 1888
Henry Martyn Clergyman 3 1781 - 1812
Henry Mayhew, Tiny Henry Mayhew Journalist 16 1812 - 1887
Henry Moore Sculptor 8 1898 - 1986
Henry Newbolt Author 2 1862 - 1938
Henry St. John Politician 2 1678 - 1751
Henry Taylor Dramatist 7 1800 - 1886
Henry Walter Bates Environmentalist 7 1825 - 1892
Henry Williamson Author 6 1895 - 1977
Henry Wotton Author 3 1568 - 1639
Herbert Beerbohm Tree Actor 7 1853 - 1917
Herbert Marshall Actor 1 1890 - 1966
Herbert Read Poet 34 1893 - 1968
Herbert Spencer, Tiny Herbert Spencer Philosopher 37 1820 - 1903
Hermione Gingold Actress 4 1897 - 1987
Hesketh Pearson Actor 5 1887 - 1964
Heston Blumenthal, Tiny Heston Blumenthal Chef 20 1966
Hilaire Belloc, Tiny Hilaire Belloc Poet 25 1870 - 1953
Holbrook Jackson, Tiny Holbrook Jackson Writer 12 1874 - 1948
Holly Johnson Musician 13 1960
Horace Smith Poet 4 1779 - 1849
Horace Walpole Author 22 1717 - 1797
Howard Carter Scientist 15 1874 - 1939
Howard Staunton Celebrity 22 1810 - 1874
Hudson Stuck Explorer 7 1865 - 1920
Hugh Grant Actor 28 1960
Hugh Hopper Musician 5 1945 - 2009
Hugh Latimer Clergyman 1 1487 - 1555
Hume Cronyn Actor 2 1911 - 2003
Ian Botham Athlete 20 1955
Ian Gilmour Politician 1 1926 - 2007
Ian Hart Actor 22 1964
Ian Hunter Musician 5 1939
Ian Jackson Scientist 7
Ian Mckellen Actor 24 1939
Ida Lupino Actress 9 1914 - 1995
Imelda Staunton Actress 17 1956
Ione Skye, Tiny Ione Skye Actress 4 1971
Isaac Barrow Mathematician 15 1630 - 1677
Isaac Disraeli, Tiny Isaac Disraeli Writer 12 1766 - 1848
Isaac Newton, Tiny Isaac Newton Mathematician 13 1642 - 1727
Isaac Pitman Inventor 2 1813 - 1897
Isaac Rosenberg, Tiny Isaac Rosenberg Poet 11 1890 - 1918
Isaac Watts Politician 8 1674 - 1748
Isabella Bird, Tiny Isabella Bird Writer 1 1831 - 1904
Isabelle Eberhardt, Tiny Isabelle Eberhardt Explorer 3 1877 - 1904
Israel Zangwill Novelist 12 1864 - 1926
Izaak Walton Writer 14 1593 - 1683
J. B. Morton Writer 2 1893 - 1979
J. K. Rowling Author 34 1965
J. L. Austin Philosopher 8 1911 - 1960
J. R. R. Tolkien, Tiny J. R. R. Tolkien Novelist 13 1892 - 1973
Jack Bowman Actor 23
Jack Cade Activist 6
Jack Charlton Athlete 2 1935 - 2020
Jack Osbourne, Tiny Jack Osbourne Celebrity 16 1985
Jacob Bronowski Scientist 24 1908 - 1974
Jacqueline Bisset Actress 39 1944
James Agate Critic 5 1877 - 1947
James Anthony Froude, Tiny James Anthony Froude Historian 22 1818 - 1894
James Blunt Musician 7 1977
James Bryce Diplomat 5 1838 - 1922
James Callaghan Leader 14 1912 - 2005
James Harrington Philosopher 4 1611 - 1677
James Hilton Novelist 3 1900 - 1954
James Jeans Physicist 6 1877 - 1946
James Joseph Sylvester, Tiny James Joseph Sylvester Mathematician 4 1814 - 1897
James Lovelock Scientist 32 1919 - 2022
James Martineau Philosopher 7 1805 - 1900
James Meade Economist 13 1907 - 1995
James Mill Historian 3 1773 - 1836
James Payn Novelist 25 1830 - 1898
James Prescott Joule Physicist 5 1818 - 1889
James Shirley Dramatist 5 1596 - 1666
James Theodore Bent Explorer 5 1852 - 1897
James Wyatt Architect 3 1746 - 1813
Jamie Redknapp Athlete 33 1973
Jan Morris Writer 4 1926 - 2020
Jane Birkin Actress 15 1946
Jane Goodall Scientist 3 1934
Jane Horrocks Actress 12 1964
Jane Seymour Actress 4 1951
Janet Erskine Stuart Poet 6
Jarvis Cocker Musician 5 1963
Jason Isaacs Actor 15 1963
Jay Kay Musician 4 1969
Jean Ingelow Poet 11 1820 - 1897
Jean Rhys Novelist 4 1894 - 1979
Jeffrey Archer Politician 27 1940
Jeremy Bentham, Tiny Jeremy Bentham Philosopher 17 1748 - 1832
Jeremy Collier Clergyman 12 1650 - 1726
Jeremy Northam Actor 25 1961
Jerome K. Jerome Author 24 1859 - 1927
Jim Sullivan Musician 26 1941
Jimmy Greaves Athlete 4 1940 - 2021
Joanna Lumley Actress 16 1946
Joanna Southcott, Tiny Joanna Southcott Celebrity 18 1750 - 1814
Joanna Trollope Novelist 7 1943
Joe Cocker Musician 23 1944 - 2014
Joe Elliott Musician 4 1959
Joe Orton Playwright 3 1933 - 1967
Joe Strummer Musician 8 1952 - 2002
John Acton Historian 11 1834 - 1902