20th-century English dramatists and playwrights

Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Mallowan, Lady Mallowan, usually known by her first married name, Agatha Christie, was an English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short-story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers, particularly in the mystery genre.

English modernist writer (1882–1941)

English novelist and playwright (1867–1933)

English author and Christian apologist (1874–1936)

British novelist, poet, playwright and Nobel Prize for Literature laureate (1911–1993)

English playwright and author (1874–1965)

British playwright (1930–2008)

British writer, playwright and literary critic (1904–1991)

English writer and poet (1885–1930)

British-American poet (1907–1973)

English humorist (1859-1927)

British author known for creating Winnie-the-Pooh (1882–1956)

English-American playwright and author (1849–1924)

British writer (1907–1989)

Sir Tom Stoppard was a British playwright and screenwriter. He wrote for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covered the themes of human rights, censorship, and political freedom, often delving into the deeper philosophical bases of society. Stoppard, a playwright of the Royal National Theatre, was one of the most internationally performed dramatists of his generation and was critically compared with William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. He was knighted for his contribution to theatre in 1997 and awarded the Order of Merit in 2000.

English author (1881–1975)

English actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter (born 1943)

Sir Stephen John Fry is an English actor, comedian, presenter and writer. He began his career on the sketch comedy series Alfresco (1983–1984) and the sitcom Blackadder (1986–1989), before gaining recognition as part of the comedy duo Fry and Laurie alongside Hugh Laurie, appearing together in A Bit of Fry & Laurie (1989–1995) and Jeeves and Wooster (1990–1993). His later television roles include Kingdom (2007–2009), Bones (2007–2017), and It's a Sin (2021). Fry was the original host of the comedy panel show QI (2003–2016), for which he was nominated for six British Academy Television Awards. In 2006, the British public ranked Fry number 9 in ITV's poll of TV's 50 Greatest Stars.

British crime writer, journalist and playwright (1875–1932)

English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer (1899–1973)

English writer (1867–1931)

British science fiction writer (1925–2017)

British actress (1943–2010)

English playwright (1929-1994)

British-Irish filmmaker and playwright

British actor and writer (1927–1978)

English author (born 1949)

British actor (1893–1943)

English writer (1894–1984)

English dramatist, poet and illustrator (1836–1911)

English writer (born 1954)

Hungarian-born British novelist and playwright (1865-1947)

English playwright (1971-1999)

English children's novelist and playwright (1896–1990)

British dramatist (1932-2016)

English short story writer and novelist (1869–1951)

British Zionist author (1864–1926)

English actor, author, playwright, and screenwriter (born 1934)

English writer and humorist

English playwright (1933–1967)

British poet (1958–2023)

British film director (1914-2002)

English playwright (1924–1995)

British writer (1933–2017)

British actor, playwright, author and director (born 1937)

English actor, dramatist, director, novelist, producer and screenwriter

South African dramatist and playwright (1934-2020)

British playwright, screenwriter (1911-1977)

British writer (1855-1934)

English playwright (born 1939)

English poet and playwright (1907–2005)

English photographer, writer and actor

British folk singer, songwriter, communist, labour activist, actor, poet, playwright, and record producer (1915–1989)

British dramatist

English novelist (1908–2003)

English novelist and writer (1867–1940)

British writer and Catholic priest (1871–1914)

British playwright, screenwriter and theatre and film director (1947- )

British novelist and playwright (1853-1931)

English writer best known as a dramatist (1934–2024)