One cannot forget about Ambrose Bierce. His stories were marked by a sense of cynicism and often had a twist at the end. He was quite good at creating a sense of unease with his ghostly tales. And there were also some lesser - known but still important authors like Elizabeth Gaskell, who in some of her short works incorporated elements of the supernatural, including ghosts, to tell stories about society and human relationships.
Charles Dickens also wrote some ghost - related short stories. In his works, he used ghosts to explore themes of social justice and the human condition. For instance, 'A Christmas Carol' has the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Then there was Sheridan Le Fanu, whose stories were filled with mystery and often had female ghosts as central figures.
Henry James was a famous author of 20th century ghost stories. His 'The Turn of the Screw' is a classic in the genre. Another was M. R. James, known for his spooky tales like 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad'. Shirley Jackson also made a mark with 'The Haunting of Hill House'.
Alexander Pope was a famous author of 18th - century short stories. His 'The Rape of the Lock' is a classic. Jonathan Swift was also well - known for his satirical short stories like 'A Modest Proposal'. Washington Irving was another important figure, with works such as 'The Devil and Tom Walker' and 'The Spectre - Bridegroom'.
Edgar Allan Poe. His short stories were known for their dark and mysterious themes. For instance, 'The Tell - Tale Heart' is a classic with its exploration of guilt and madness.
Edgar Allan Poe was a very famous author of 19th - century short stories. His works often delved into the darker aspects of human nature and the macabre, like in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'. Another well - known author was Nathaniel Hawthorne. He wrote stories such as 'The Minister's Black Veil' which explored Puritan society and moral themes.
In the 20th century, Ernest Hemingway was a great short - story writer. His stories, such as 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro', are known for their sparse yet powerful prose. Also, Katherine Mansfield from the early 20th century wrote many evocative short stories that explored the inner lives of her characters, especially women.
Edgar Allan Poe was a well - known author. His short stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' are famous for their psychological depth.
Katherine Mansfield. She was great at depicting the subtleties of human relationships. Her stories often took place in domestic settings and delved into the inner lives of her characters, like in 'Miss Brill'.
Nathaniel Hawthorne was a well - known author of 19th - century short stories too. His works were deeply rooted in the Puritan heritage of America. He used symbolism a great deal in his short stories, exploring themes such as sin, guilt, and redemption. For example, in 'The Minister's Black Veil', the black veil is a powerful symbol that represents the hidden sins of the minister and, by extension, of all humanity.
One famous author was Kate Chopin. Her short stories often delved into the complex emotions and situations of women. For example, 'The Story of an Hour' is a well - known piece that explores a woman's reaction to the news of her husband's death and her new - found sense of freedom. Another is Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Her work, like 'The Yellow Wallpaper', was very influential in highlighting women's mental and emotional states within a restrictive society.
Jane Austen. She wrote short stories and novels with a strong romantic element. Her works often explored the relationships between men and women in the context of 19th - century society.