The Most Famous Victorian Novelist, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the novelist you think is the most famous!
Updated on Jul 22, 2024 07:51
Determining the most celebrated Victorian novelist offers unique insights into a transformative period in literature. Amidst the rapid social, political, and technological changes of the 19th century, these writers crafted stories that reflected and shaped the worldviews of their time. Ranking these novelists not only highlights their narrative strengths but also helps modern readers understand the historical and cultural contexts that influenced their works.
By participating in voting, users contribute to a collective appreciation of literary art. Each vote helps to prioritize certain authors over others, thus revealing contemporary interests and connections to Victorian themes. This dynamic ranking is more than just a list; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and the present, offering a bridge made of stories, characters, and ideas that continue to resonate today.
Who Is the Most Famous Victorian Novelist?
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134points
Charles Dickens
An English writer and social critic, known for his vivid characters and depictions of Victorian life.- Notable Works: Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations
- Themes: Social reform, poverty, class disparity
In other topics -
220points
George Eliot
The pen name of Mary Ann Evans, an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era.- Notable Works: Middlemarch, Silas Marner, The Mill on the Floss
- Themes: Rural society, psychology, realism
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310points
Thomas Hardy
An English novelist and poet, Hardy's works typically belong to the Naturalism movement and focus on the declining rural society.- Notable Works: Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Far from the Madding Crowd
- Themes: Fate, rural society, the human condition
In other topics -
49points
Anthony Trollope
An English novelist of the Victorian era, Trollope's best-loved works revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire.- Notable Works: The Chronicles of Barsetshire, The Palliser novels
- Themes: English social life, politics, clerical life
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51points
Charlotte Brontë
An English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters who survived into adulthood.- Notable Works: Jane Eyre
- Themes: Gender relations, morality, religion
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61points
Emily Brontë
An English novelist and poet, best known for her only novel, Wuthering Heights, now considered a classic of English literature.- Notable Works: Wuthering Heights
- Themes: Love, revenge, nature, solitude
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71points
Elizabeth Gaskell
An English novelist, Gaskell's novels offer detailed portraits of the lives of many strata of society, including the very poor.- Notable Works: North and South, Wives and Daughters, Cranford
- Themes: Social division, industrialization, gender roles
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80points
William Makepeace Thackeray
An English novelist and author, known for his satirical works, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.- Notable Works: Vanity Fair
- Themes: Social satire, morality, hypocrisy
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90points
Anne Brontë
The youngest of the Brontë sisters, Anne is less well known than her sisters Charlotte and Emily, but her novels have been praised for their realism and social commentary.- Notable Works: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Agnes Grey
- Themes: Women's independence, alcoholism, moral responsibility
In other topics -
100points
Lewis Carroll
An English writer of children's fiction, Carroll is best known for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass.- Notable Works: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass
- Themes: Fantasy, logic, word play
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Victorian novelist. 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
- 2608 views
- 75 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.
Additional Information
More about the Most Famous Victorian Novelist
Rank #1 for the most famous Victorian novelist: Charles Dickens (Source)
The Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to 1901, marked a time of great change. The Industrial Revolution transformed society, and cities grew rapidly. During this period, literature flourished. Novelists captured the essence of the time, depicting both the splendor and the struggles of the age.
Novels became the primary form of entertainment. They were serialized in magazines, making them accessible to many. This allowed readers to follow stories over time, creating a strong bond between them and the characters. The novelists of this era often focused on social issues. They highlighted the divide between the rich and the poor, the plight of the working class, and the challenges faced by women and children.
These writers had a keen eye for detail. They painted vivid pictures of Victorian life, from bustling city streets to quiet countryside scenes. Their characters were complex, reflecting the diverse society of the time. Many of their works explored themes of morality, justice, and human nature.
The Victorian novelists were also innovators. They experimented with different narrative techniques and structures. Some used multiple narrators, while others played with time, moving back and forth in their stories. This made their works rich and layered, offering readers a deep and engaging experience.
Education became more widespread during the Victorian era. This led to a larger reading public. As a result, novels reached a broader audience. Libraries and reading rooms became common, and people from all walks of life could access books. This democratization of literature helped to cement the novel's place in society.
The impact of these novelists extended beyond their time. Their works influenced future generations of writers. They set a high standard for storytelling, character development, and social commentary. Their novels remain popular today, studied in schools and enjoyed by readers worldwide.
In conclusion, the Victorian era was a golden age for the novel. The writers of this period captured the spirit of their time, shedding light on the complexities of Victorian society. Their works continue to resonate, offering timeless insights into human nature and the world.
Novels became the primary form of entertainment. They were serialized in magazines, making them accessible to many. This allowed readers to follow stories over time, creating a strong bond between them and the characters. The novelists of this era often focused on social issues. They highlighted the divide between the rich and the poor, the plight of the working class, and the challenges faced by women and children.
These writers had a keen eye for detail. They painted vivid pictures of Victorian life, from bustling city streets to quiet countryside scenes. Their characters were complex, reflecting the diverse society of the time. Many of their works explored themes of morality, justice, and human nature.
The Victorian novelists were also innovators. They experimented with different narrative techniques and structures. Some used multiple narrators, while others played with time, moving back and forth in their stories. This made their works rich and layered, offering readers a deep and engaging experience.
Education became more widespread during the Victorian era. This led to a larger reading public. As a result, novels reached a broader audience. Libraries and reading rooms became common, and people from all walks of life could access books. This democratization of literature helped to cement the novel's place in society.
The impact of these novelists extended beyond their time. Their works influenced future generations of writers. They set a high standard for storytelling, character development, and social commentary. Their novels remain popular today, studied in schools and enjoyed by readers worldwide.
In conclusion, the Victorian era was a golden age for the novel. The writers of this period captured the spirit of their time, shedding light on the complexities of Victorian society. Their works continue to resonate, offering timeless insights into human nature and the world.
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