Missouri has been home to several famous authors and writers who have made significant contributions to literature. Here are the famous authors from Missouri.
Dale CarnegieMaryvilleUCM
Kate ChopinSt. Louis
T.S. EliotSt. LouisSmith Academy
Eugene FieldSt. LouisMizzou
Gillian FlynnKansas City
James GunnKansas City
Michael HarringtonSLU High
Robert HeinleinKansas CityCentral High
A.E. HotchnerSt. Louis SoldanWash U.
Langston HughesJoplin
Irma RombauerSt. Louis
Kay ThompsonSt. Louis SoldanWash U.
Mark TwainFlorida, MOHannibal
Sara TeasdaleSt. LouisMary Institute
Laura Ingalls WilderMansfield
Tennessee WilliamsUniversity City HighMizzou/Wash U.
Lanford WilsonOzark HighMissouri State Univ
Elaine VietsSt. LouisUMSL
Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens): Perhaps the most famous author associated with Missouri, Mark Twain was born in Florida, Missouri, in 1835. He is best known for his iconic works “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” both of which are considered classics of American literature.
Maya Angelou: An acclaimed poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1928. Her most famous work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” is an autobiographical account of her early years and became a powerful and influential piece in African American literature.
T.S. Eliot (Thomas Stearns Eliot): Though he was born in St. Louis, Missouri, T.S. Eliot later moved to England, where he became a British citizen. He was a renowned poet, essayist, and playwright. Some of his most celebrated works include “The Waste Land” and “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”
Kate Chopin: Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1850, Kate Chopin was an influential author of the late 19th century. She is known for her novel “The Awakening,” which was considered scandalous at the time of its publication but has since become a classic work of feminist literature.
Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams III): Although he was born in Columbus, Mississippi, Tennessee Williams spent a significant portion of his life in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a highly regarded playwright and is famous for his plays such as “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
Langston Hughes: Though he was primarily associated with the Harlem Renaissance in New York, Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902. He was a prominent poet, novelist, and playwright, known for his contributions to African American literature.
These are just a few of the many talented authors and writers who have been associated with Missouri. Their works continue to inspire and resonate with readers around the world.