1. William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Arguably the most influential writer in the English language, Shakespeare's plays and sonnets remain staples of literary study and performance.
2. Jane Austen (1775-1817): A master of social satire and romantic comedy, Austen's novels like "Pride and Prejudice" offer timeless observations on love, class, and society.
3. Emily Dickinson (1830-1886): A reclusive poet, Dickinson's intensely personal and often enigmatic poems explore themes of death, nature, and the human condition.
4. Mark Twain (1835-1910): A novelist and humorist known for his social commentary and vivid portrayals of American life, Twain's works like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are considered classics of American literature.
5. Toni Morrison (1931-2019): A Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Morrison's powerful and lyrical works explore themes of race, identity, and the African American experience, with novels like "Beloved" and "The Bluest Eye" becoming essential reading.
However, this list only scratches the surface! Many other writers could be included:
* From earlier periods: Geoffrey Chaucer, John Milton, John Bunyan
* From the 19th century: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Herman Melville, Henry James, Charles Dickens
* From the 20th century: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, Sylvia Plath, J.D. Salinger, Maya Angelou, Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, and countless more!
Ultimately, "famous" is subjective. The best way to discover great Anglo-American writers is to explore diverse genres and periods, and find those that resonate with your own interests and tastes.