Here are eminent authors who made significant contributions to literature and philosophy in the 17th century:
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616) - An iconic playwright, poet, and actor widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Shakespeare authored countless timeless plays, including Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and many more.
- John Bunyan (1628-1688) - A renowned English writer and Puritan preacher. His most famous work, "The Pilgrim's Progress," is considered an allegory of the Christian life and remains a classic of religious literature.
- John Milton (1608-1674) - An influential English poet, pamphleteer, and civil servant during the Commonwealth of England. Milton's masterpiece "Paradise Lost" is considered one of the greatest epic poems in English literature.
- Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677) - A Dutch philosopher of Portuguese Sephardic origin, known for his contributions to modern Western thought. Spinoza's most notable works include "Ethics" and "Tractatus Theologico-Politicus."
Here are influential writers who contributed significantly to literature, philosophy, and art in the 18th century:
- Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) - An English writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy. Defoe's most famous novel, "Robinson Crusoe," is considered one of the earliest examples of the "novel" form in English literature.
- Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) - An Anglo-Irish writer and Anglican clergyman, known for his sharp satire and wit. Swift's works include "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal."
- Voltaire (1694-1778) - A French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher, known for his criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and the French monarchy. Voltaire's works include "Candide" and "Philosophical Letters."
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) - A Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer. Rousseau's works, including "The Social Contract" and "Confessions," had a profound influence on political philosophy and the French Revolution.
- Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) - An English writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. Wollstonecraft's seminal work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," laid the groundwork for feminist theory.