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Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, and literary critic, best known for his dark and macabre works. He is considered a pioneer in the detective fiction genre and is credited with creating the first modern detective story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." Poe's tales of horror, including "The Raven" and "The Fall of the House of Usher," continue to captivate readers today. Although he struggled with alcoholism and depression, his influence on American literature is undeniable, and his legacy lives on through his enduring works.

Ernest Hemingway was an American writer known for his novels such as The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. Hemingway served in World War I and worked as a journalist before becoming a renowned author. He had a distinctive writing style characterized by simplicity, directness, and a focus on themes of love, war, and nature. Hemingway's life was marked by adventure and he had a significant influence on 20th-century fiction.

George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic and political activist. He was influential in the development of English literature and its modern writing style, being the only person to have received both a Nobel Prize in Literature and an Oscar. His plays explored issues concerning class, gender and society and often dealt with topics that were considered daring at the time. He was a staunch socialist, supporting a "living wage" and the abolition of war. His legacy endures today and is remembered for his sharp wit, controversial opinions and progressive ideals.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher who is best known for his book Walden, which chronicles his experiences living alone in a cabin in the woods for two years. Thoreau was a strong advocate for individualism and the rejection of societal norms that don't align with personal values. He also played a prominent role in the transcendentalist movement, which sought to explore the spiritual and philosophical aspects of nature. Thoreau's work has had a lasting impact on American literature and environmentalism.

J.R.R. Tolkien was a British writer, poet, and professor best known for his fantasy novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He served in World War I and was a professor of Old English at the University of Oxford. Tolkien created an intricate mythology with its own languages, history, and cultures for his fictional world of Middle-earth. His works have had a lasting impact on popular culture and continue to inspire fans of all ages. Tolkien died in 1973, but his legacy as a master storyteller lives on.

Jonathan Swift was an Irish author best known for his satirical works, including "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal." Born in Dublin in 1667, Swift spent much of his adult life in England, where he was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church. Despite his religious affiliation, Swift's writings often criticized political and social structures, especially those that oppressed the Irish people. Swift died in 1745, but his legacy continues to influence literature and political discourse to this day.