The Most Famous English Playwright, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the playwright you think is the most famous!
Updated on May 4, 2024 07:05
Assessing the impact of English playwrights offers a glimpse into the evolution of language, culture, and societal norms through stage performances. Voters find it beneficial to review and rank these artists based on their contributions to both art and society. This process not only highlights influential literary works but also fosters a deeper appreciation of the historical context in which these plays were written.
By participating in this ranking, audiences contribute to a collective acknowledgement of artistic excellence, ensuring that noteworthy contributions are recognized and celebrated. Each vote helps to adjust the rankings, providing a dynamic reflection of public opinion and preferences. Thus, actively engaging in this process enriches the overall understanding of the theatrical arts.
Who Is the Most Famous English Playwright?
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148votes
Attributed to John Taylor · Public domainWilliam Shakespeare - widely considered the most famous English playwright of all time, with his plays still being performed and studied centuries after his death.William Shakespeare in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous author of all time
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous author of sonnets in history
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous British artist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most talented boy in the world
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Taurus
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous father
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237votes
W. & D. Downey · Public domainOscar Wilde - known for his witty and satirical plays, including The Importance of Being Earnest and Lady Windermere's Fan.Oscar Wilde in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous satirist in English literature
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person in Dublin
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous author in Ireland
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Irishman
- Position 10 of 10 in Most beautiful handwriting
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous author of Gothic literature
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326votesHarold Pinter is a Nobel Prize-winning playwright known for his minimalist, yet powerful, works such as The Birthday Party and Betrayal.
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423votes
Philip Romano · CC BY-SA 4.0Tom Stoppard is a prolific playwright whose works include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Arcadia. -
516votes
John Thaxter · CC BY-SA 3.0Alan Ayckbourn is a prolific playwright known for his comedic works, including The Norman Conquests and Absurd Person Singular. -
611votesChristopher Marlowe is a contemporary of Shakespeare, known for his plays such as Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine the Great.Christopher Marlowe in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular anti-Stratfordian candidate today
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79votesDavid Mamet is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright known for his intense, dialogue-driven works such as Glengarry Glen Ross and Oleanna.David Mamet in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous screenwriter
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810votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainGeorge Bernard Shaw - known for his sharp wit and social commentary in plays such as Pygmalion and Saint Joan.George Bernard Shaw in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous playwright
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous person from Hertfordshire
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous George
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98votes
Petticonifer · CC BY-SA 4.0Caryl Churchill is a groundbreaking playwright known for her experimental and politically charged works such as Top Girls and Cloud Nine. -
106votes
Reginald gray · CC0John Osborne is known for his angry young man persona and influential works such as Look Back in Anger.
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous English playwright. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Playwright is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2293 views
- 190 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Playwright once every 24 hours. The rank of each Playwright is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous english playwright
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the most famous English playwright of all time. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare wrote plays that have stood the test of time and continue to be performed and studied today. His plays, such as "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Romeo and Juliet," have been translated into every major language and are performed all over the world. Shakespeare's influence on English literature and culture cannot be overstated, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of playwrights and artists. While there have been many other great English playwrights throughout history, Shakespeare remains the most famous and beloved.
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