The ten greatest writers in the history of the world are difficult to determine because the standard of measuring literary achievement varies from person to person. Here are some people who are widely regarded as great writers: 1 William Shakespeare: the most famous British writer of the renaissance period, known as the "father of western literature." Voltaire: French philosopher and writer considered an important figure in the Enlightenment. 3 Cervantes (Senesta): Spanish Renaissance writer and politician known as the "Renaissance of the shakespeare." 4 Dickens (Dickens): The literary writer and drama of the British Victoria period was known as the "father of world literature." 5 Hugo: French writer and politician considered an important figure in the romantic movement. 6. Mao Passant: The French writer was known as the "King of Short Stories." 7 Dumas (Diophantus): Ancient Greek writer and dramatist known as the "father of ancient Greek drama." 8 Lu Xun (Mao Zedong): Chinese writer and ideologist known as the "father of modern Chinese literature." 9 Owen (Isaac Newton): British mathematician and physicist known as the "father of mathematics." Leo Tolstoy: Russian writer known as the "father of Russian literature." These were just some of the great writers, but there were many others, such as Ernest Hemmingway, Faulkner, and Maugham.