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Harper Lee -

The 1960 novel 'To Kill A Mockingbird' was Harper Lee's most famous work. She was inspired to write it based on her experiences witnessing racism while growing up in Alabama.

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Simone de Beauvoir -

The French writer had a huge influence on feminist existentialism and feminist theory. She is best known for her book 'The Second Sex.'

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Virginia Woolf -

From an affluent background, Virginia Woolf has had a strong influence on modern contemporary literature, particularly with regards to feminist writing.

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Jane Austen -

Arguably the best-known female novelist of all time, Austen was most famous for her novels 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Emma.'

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Toni Morrison -

The excellent African-American author was not shy to discuss matters of racism in interviews or in her work. She is best known for her works 'Song of Solomon' and 'Beloved.'

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Charlotte Brontë -

The English author is best known for her masterpiece 'Jane Eyre.' She initially wrote under a pen name along with her sisters Emily and Anne.

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J.K. Rowling -

The British author went from rags to bountiful riches because of the books she has written. She created the 'Harry Potter' series, which were then made into hugely successful films.

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie -

While the Nigerian writer has written several novels, such as 'Purple Hibiscus,' she is best known for her book, 'We Should All Be Feminists.'

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Alice Walker -

The African-American novelist wrote 'The Color Purple.' 

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Margaret Atwood -

The multi award-winning author is best known for her book 'The Handmaid's Tale.' The very popular TV show was based on the book.

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Sylvia Plath -

'The Bell Jar' was the most famous work by Sylvia Plath, which was a semi-autobiographical novel. She also wrote poetry.

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Mary Shelley -

The English novelist wrote 'Frankenstein,' which is one of the most famous horror books of all time. 

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Agatha Christie -

The British author of detective stories created the characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and wrote the long-running play 'The Mousetrap.'

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Emily Brontë -

'Wuthering Heights' was Emily Brontë's only completed work, and it is widely viewed as a literary masterpiece.

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George Eliot -

Mary Evans went by the pen name George Eliot as she did not want her work to be defined by her gender. Her best-known work is 'Middlemarch.'

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Daphne du Maurier -

The English author wrote many novels and short stories that have been adapted into films, including 'The Birds,' 'Don't Look Now,' and, 'Rebecca.'

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Zadie Smith -

The 'White Teeth' author became famous in her twenties for her excellent best-selling novel, which won many awards.

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Louisa May Alcott -

The lifelong feminist and abolitionist author will always be remembered for her exemplary novel, 'Little Women.'

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Louise Erdrich -

The Minnesotan author has been awarded many prizes for her excellent works, which include 'The Plague of Doves' and 'The Round House.'

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P. D. James -

The English author was most famous for her series of detective novels, which were adapted into TV shows.

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Angela Carter -

The English feminist author was best known for her novels 'The Bloody Chamber' and 'Nights at the Circus.'

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Edith Wharton - In 1921, this New York writer was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature, which she won for her famous work 'The Age of Innocence.'

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Donna Tartt -

'The Secret History' and 'The Little Friend' are the most famous novels by the Mississippian writer. 

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Ursula K. Le Guin -

Most well-known for her 'Earthsea' fantasy series of books, Ursula K. Le Guin was also a literary critic and poetry writer.

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Joyce Carol Oates -

The prolific author has written more than 50 novels, as well as many plays, short stories, and poetry works. 

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Octavia E. Butler -

The award-winning writer once stated that her audience consisted of three loyal groups: black readers, feminists, and sci-fi fans.

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Zora Neale Hurston -

The African-American author was best known for her novel, 'Their Eyes Were Watching God.' She wrote widely on contemporary issues within the black community.

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Flannery O'Connor -

The resolutely Catholic author was a native of the state of Georgia, and wrote many short stories which dealt with controversial themes.

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A. S. Byatt -

Dame Antonia Susan Duffy has written under the name A. S. Byatt for many years. She was a novelist, poet, and a recipient of the Booker prize.

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Doris Lessing -

Doris Lessing was an award-winning author, and the recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature. Her works include 'The Grass is Singing' and 'The Golden Notebook.'

Click here to read about history's most influential and inspiring women!

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