The Most Famous African Writer, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the writer you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 10, 2024 07:03
Many students and scholars find themselves drawn to the rich tapestry of African literature, seeking to understand and appreciate the diverse voices that shape its narrative. However, with so many influential writers contributing to this broad literary landscape, determining which authors have made the most significant impact can be daunting. A ranked list of the most famous African writers can serve as a useful reference for educational pursuits and personal enrichment.
This website allows you to actively participate in creating a live ranking of these celebrated authors based on public opinion. By voting for your favorite writers, you contribute to a dynamic and constantly updated list that reflects the community's current views. This approach not only promotes engagement but also helps to highlight emerging talents alongside established literary figures.
Who Is the Most Famous African Writer?
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137votes
Stuart C. Shapiro · CC BY 3.0Achebe is widely regarded as the father of modern African literature and his novel, Things Fall Apart, is a classic of African literature. He was also a critic and advocate for African writers and culture.Chinua Achebe in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous professor in Nigeria
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous African
- Position 9 of 10 in Most brilliant person in Nigeria
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245votes
Frankie Fouganthin · CC BY-SA 4.0Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and novelist who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. He is known for his criticism of Nigerian politics and his commitment to human rights.Wole Soyinka in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous professor in Nigeria
- Position 4 of 10 in Most brilliant person in Nigeria
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous African
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340votes
Niccolò Caranti · CC BY-SA 3.0Thiong'o is a Kenyan writer who has written novels, plays, and essays in both English and his native language, Gikuyu. He is a prominent advocate for the use of African languages in literature and education. -
420votes
Nwabu2010 · Public domainAdichie is a Nigerian novelist and short story writer whose work has received widespread critical acclaim. She is known for her feminist and social justice advocacy and her TED Talk, "The Danger of a Single Story."Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most brilliant person in Nigeria
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous celebrity in Africa
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular person in Nigeria
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous TED speaker
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous journalist in Nigeria
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518votesTutuola was a Nigerian writer whose novels were heavily influenced by Yoruba folklore and mythology. His most famous work is The Palm-Wine Drinkard, which was published in 1952.
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616votes
Victuallers · CC BY-SA 3.0Emecheta was a Nigerian novelist whose work focused on the experiences of African women, both in Africa and in diaspora. Her most famous works include The Joys of Motherhood and Second Class Citizen. -
712votes
Metsavend · CC BY-SA 3.0Okri is a Nigerian poet and novelist who won the Booker Prize in 1991 for his novel The Famished Road. He is known for his magical realism and his exploration of African spirituality. -
85votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainBâ was a Senegalese novelist whose work explored the lives of African women and the impact of colonialism and patriarchy on their experiences. Her most famous work is So Long a Letter, which was published in 1981.Mariama Bâ in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Gambian
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99votesAidoo is a Ghanaian playwright, poet, and novelist who has written extensively about African women's experiences and the impact of colonialism and neocolonialism on African societies. Her most famous works include Changes: A Love Story and Our Sister Killjoy.Ama Ata Aidoo in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous visual artist in Ghana
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1010votes
Engfrompalestine · CC BY-SA 3.0Salih was a Sudanese novelist whose work explored the intersection of Western and Arab cultures in Sudan. His most famous work is Season of Migration to the North, which was published in 1966.
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Ranking factors for famous writer
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Literary RecognitionThis includes awards won, critical acclaim and widespread acclaim.
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International ReputationThis includes the reach of their work, translations, and influence in the global literary world.
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Sales and Commercial SuccessThis covers the success of their books in terms of copies sold, movie adaptations, and other commercial ventures.
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Cultural and Historical ImpactThis includes the contribution of the writer to their national or regional culture, impact on social and political narratives, and the broadening of literary canon.
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Body of Work and LegacyThis covers the writer’s career as a whole, the number of books and genres they’ve published in, and their continued relevance in popular reading and scholarship.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous African writer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Author is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1999 views
- 208 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Author once every 24 hours. The rank of each Author is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous african writer
Background Information: Who is the Most Famous African Writer?
African literature is rich, diverse and has a history that dates back centuries. However, in the modern world, few authors have gained global recognition as the most famous African writer. The title is a highly contested one, with several writers from different countries and backgrounds vying for the top spot.
Among the names that have been considered for this title are Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, and Nadine Gordimer. These writers have contributed significantly to African literature and have been recognized with numerous awards.
Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart is considered a classic African novel and has been translated into over 50 languages. Wole Soyinka, who was the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, is known for his plays and poetry that address the socio-political issues of Nigeria. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a contemporary writer whose works, including Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, have received critical acclaim.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o, a Kenyan writer, is known for his novels, plays, and essays that address colonialism, language, and identity. Nadine Gordimer, a South African writer, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist and her works, including Burger's Daughter and July's People, examine the complexities of race relations in South Africa.
While it is difficult to determine the most famous African writer definitively
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