Edgar Allan Poe, though American, had a significant influence on European short stories as well. His works, such as 'The Tell - Tale Heart', with their dark and macabre themes, inspired many European writers to explore similar psychological and gothic elements in their own short stories.
Anton Chekhov, from Russia, is also well - known for his short stories. His stories are known for their psychological depth and ability to capture the essence of human nature. For example, 'The Lady with the Dog' is a great exploration of love and human relationships.
Guy de Maupassant from France is very famous. His short stories are known for their sharp observations of human nature and unexpected endings. For example, 'The Necklace' is a well - known story that shows how pride can lead to unexpected consequences.
One of the well - known authors is H. P. Lovecraft. His works, while he was American, had a profound impact on European horror. In addition, Algernon Blackwood was a significant figure. His stories often delved into the supernatural and the unknown. And then there's Mary Shelley, who wrote 'Frankenstein', which is a fundamental work in the horror genre that influenced European horror writing as well. Her exploration of science and horror was quite revolutionary.
One of the most famous is Leo Tolstoy from Russia. His works like 'Anna Karenina' and 'War and Peace' are world - renowned. Then there's Charles Dickens from England, known for 'Oliver Twist' and 'Great Expectations'. Also, Victor Hugo from France, with 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre - Dame' being very popular.
John le Carré is a very famous author of European spy novels. His works like 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' are highly regarded. Ian Fleming is also well - known for creating James Bond in novels such as 'Casino Royale'.
One cannot forget about Victor Hugo. Although he is known for his other works as well, 'The Hunchback of Notre - Dame' has elements of romance within it. Set in Paris, it shows the complex relationships between the characters against the backdrop of the cathedral. Also, Alexandre Dumas, with his works like 'The Count of Monte Cristo' which has a strong romantic sub - plot intertwined with themes of revenge and justice.
Agatha Christie from the UK is a household name. She created iconic characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Her stories are full of twists and turns, and she was a master of the whodunit genre. Her settings, whether it was a grand English manor or an exotic location, added to the allure of her crime stories.
Charles Dickens is a very famous one. His works like 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'Great Expectations' are well - known worldwide. Another is Jane Austen, known for her novels such as 'Pride and Prejudice' which explored love and marriage in the English gentry. Victor Hugo is also important, with 'Les Misérables' being a great example of his work.
Edgar Allan Poe is a very famous one. He wrote many spooky short stories like 'The Cask of Amontillado' where a man is walled up alive in a catacomb. Another is H.P. Lovecraft. His stories often involve cosmic horror, such as 'The Call of Cthulhu' which has a sense of the unknown and the terrifyingly large and ancient entities. Shirley Jackson is also well - known for her spooky tales, like 'The Haunting of Hill House' which has been made into a great TV show.
One of the most prominent is Giovanni Boccaccio. His 'The Decameron' had a huge influence on renaissance literature. Geoffrey Chaucer, as I mentioned before, is also a key figure with his 'The Canterbury Tales'. Then there is Aesop, whose fables were not only popular during the renaissance but also had a lasting impact on literature. These authors are all well - known for their contributions to renaissance short stories.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. is famous for his nautical writings. His works give a vivid account of life aboard a ship, from the daily routines of the sailors to the more dramatic events at sea. His stories are based on his own experiences at sea, which makes them very authentic and engaging.