2006-12-04 20:53:40 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
In the world? William Shakespeare.
2006-12-04 23:02:17 · answer #1 · answered by The Gadfly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're talking about the most influential writers in the entire history of mankind, then without doubt the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and also some unmentioned gnostics, because the bible is the best-selling book of all-time.
As for the modern day writer, I think Dan Brown could be in the running for being the most influential writer, and JK Rowling too.
2006-12-05 07:23:24 · answer #2 · answered by xander 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is hard to know how influential a modern writer is because you haven't fully seen the influence they have had over many years. A man like Plato has had massive influence over the greek civilizations not only for his own writings but because he wrote down Socrates' words which would otherwise have been lost.
I personally like Eusebius who was a church historian around 3rd and 4th C AD. He wrote down stuff which gave insight into the life of the early church which would otherwise not be known. This period in time has been foundational to all the churches that exist today.
Of course both these people are western....
2006-12-05 05:16:55 · answer #3 · answered by conda 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
William Shakespeare, then Feodor Dostoevsky, Theodore Dreiser, Ernest Hemingway.
But Shakespeare has taught the world more and changed the world more than almost any other man in any other field.
I see someone has also mentioned James Joyce and I agree he should be considered - especially with regard to his influence on other writers - notably the aforementioned Hemingway
2006-12-05 05:13:22 · answer #4 · answered by Grist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As an American, I'd have to go with Thomas Paine.
As an Irish-American, I can undoubtedly say W.B. Yeats.
As a world citizen, those who penned holy books are probably ultimately the most influential.
2006-12-05 04:58:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the works of fiction, these are some of the most influential writers (please note that the numbering does not connote ranking):
1) J.K. Rowling
2) Dan Brown
3) Agatha Christie
4) Enid Blyton
5) Raymond Chandler
6) Jane Austen
2006-12-05 05:31:26 · answer #6 · answered by Ray Mystery 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Undoubtedly William Shakespeare - the King who ruled on people's Hearts all over the World.
2006-12-05 06:50:47 · answer #7 · answered by shri 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would think that Hemingway probably influenced more young writers and writer wannabe's that any other writer of the last 100 years.
2006-12-05 06:19:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we're talking within the past 100 years or so, I'd have to say James Joyce.
2006-12-05 05:13:32 · answer #9 · answered by afbrown70 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. I think it totally has to do with what you are interested in.
2. Fiction vs. Non-Fiction.
Good Luck and Warm Wishes.
2006-12-05 05:00:12 · answer #10 · answered by mitch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋