The Most Famous Author of Sonnets in History, Ranked

Choose the author you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 07:03
In a small town library filled with dusty books and the scent of old paper, a curious reader stumbled upon a collection of beautifully crafted sonnets that captured the complexity of human emotions. This discovery sparked a debate among the town’s literary enthusiasts about which poet’s pen had danced most skillfully across the page, weaving words into intricate masterpieces. Compiling a list of the most acclaimed authors of sonnets could settle these lively debates and perhaps introduce new voices into the mix. By participating in the ranking, every vote adds a perspective, enriching the collective appreciation of poetic artistry and helping to highlight those whose skill in sonnet writing deserves recognition.

Who Is the Most Famous Author of Sonnets in History?

  1. 1
    46
    votes
    William Shakespeare
    Attributed to John Taylor · Public domain
    Shakespeare is widely considered the most famous author of sonnets in history. He wrote 154 sonnets, which are still studied and admired today. His sonnets explore themes of love, beauty, mortality, and the passage of time.
    William Shakespeare in other rankings
  2. 2
    25
    votes
    Petrarch is often credited with inventing the sonnet form. He wrote over 300 sonnets, which are known for their lyrical beauty and exploration of the beloved. His sonnets have been translated into many languages and continue to be studied today.
  3. 3
    19
    votes
    John Donne was an English poet who wrote many sonnets in the 17th century. His sonnets are known for their metaphysical themes and exploration of love and death.
    John Donne in other rankings
  4. 4
    29
    votes
    Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a Victorian poet who wrote many sonnets. Her most famous sonnet sequence is Sonnets from the Portuguese, which explores her love for her husband, Robert Browning.
    Elizabeth Barrett Browning in other rankings
  5. 5
    13
    votes
    Dante Alighieri
    Sandro Botticelli · Public domain
    Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet who wrote many sonnets in the 13th and 14th centuries. His sonnets explore themes of love, beauty, and philosophy.
    Dante Alighieri in other rankings
  6. 6
    4
    votes
    Edmund Spenser was an English poet who wrote many sonnets in the 16th century. His sonnet sequence, Amoretti, is known for its exploration of love and courtship.
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    John Milton
    anonymous  · Public domain
    John Milton was an English poet who wrote many sonnets in the 17th century. His sonnets explore themes of love, politics, and religion.
    John Milton in other rankings
  8. 8
    12
    votes
    Pablo Neruda was a Chilean poet who wrote many sonnets in the 20th century. His sonnets are known for their passionate exploration of love and politics.
    Pablo Neruda in other rankings
  9. 9
    8
    votes
    William Wordsworth
    Benjamin Haydon · Public domain
    William Wordsworth was an English Romantic poet who wrote many sonnets in the 19th century. His sonnets explore themes of nature, love, and the human condition.
    William Wordsworth in other rankings
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Robert Frost was an American poet who wrote many sonnets in the 20th century. His sonnets explore themes of nature, love, and the human experience.
    Robert Frost in other rankings

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous author of sonnets in history. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or writer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1989 views
  • 167 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each writer once every 24 hours. The rank of each writer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous author of sonnets in history

Background Information: Famous Authors of Sonnets in History Sonnets are a form of poetry that originated in Italy during the 13th century. This type of poem consists of 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure. Over the years, many famous authors have contributed to the sonnet genre, but there are a few that stand out as the most well-known. One of the most famous authors of sonnets in history is William Shakespeare. Known as the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets that explored themes of love, beauty, and mortality. His sonnets are still widely read and studied today, and his influence on English literature is immeasurable. Another notable author of sonnets is Petrarch, an Italian poet from the 14th century. Petrarch's collection of 366 sonnets, called the "Canzoniere," is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance poetry. His sonnets often celebrated his unrequited love for a woman named Laura, and his work helped to popularize the sonnet form throughout Europe. Other famous authors of sonnets include John Donne, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Each of these writers brought their own unique perspective and style to the sonnet genre, and their contributions have helped to shape the way we think about this type of poetry today. Overall, the sonnet has remained a popular form of poetry for centuries, and the works of these famous authors continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world.

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