Classics:
* The Canterbury Tales (c. 14th century): While commonly attributed to Geoffrey Chaucer, some scholars believe it was a collaborative effort, and others suggest Chaucer may have simply collected and edited existing tales.
* The Book of Mormon (1830): The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attributes its creation to Joseph Smith, who claimed it was a translation of ancient scriptures. However, its authorship has been the subject of much debate and speculation.
* The Diary of a Young Girl (1947): Anne Frank's diary, while not entirely anonymous, was published under the pseudonym "Anne Frank" as a way to protect her identity.
Contemporary:
* Fifty Shades of Grey (2011): The erotic romance trilogy, which became a global phenomenon, was originally published under the pseudonym E.L. James. The author, Erika Leonard James, later revealed her real name.
* The Da Vinci Code (2003): The bestselling mystery novel by Dan Brown featured the pseudonym "John Langdon" on its initial drafts, which he later decided not to use.
* The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005): The first book in the Millennium series was written under the pseudonym Stieg Larsson. After his death, his publishers revealed his true identity.
Other Notable Anonymous Works:
* Primary Colors (1996): A satirical novel about a presidential campaign, widely believed to be based on Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign. Though the author, Joe Klein, initially denied authorship, he later revealed his identity.
* The Cuckoo's Calling (2013): The mystery novel, initially published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, was later revealed to be the work of J.K. Rowling.
* The Secret Garden (1911): Frances Hodgson Burnett initially published this children's novel under the pseudonym "Frances Hodgson."
Reasons for Anonymity:
* Protection: Authors might choose anonymity to protect themselves from threats or legal repercussions, especially when writing about controversial subjects.
* Social Stigma: Certain topics, like sex, politics, or religion, could have been seen as inappropriate for women or members of certain social classes to write about openly.
* Marketing Strategy: Authors might choose anonymity to create buzz or mystery around their work, generating curiosity and publicity.
It's important to note that the true authorship of some anonymous works remains unknown, leaving room for speculation and debate.