The Most Popular Famous Poets - Top 50 Poets in Order

William Wordsworth was a renowned English Romantic Movement poet who lived from 1770 to 1850. Known for his deep appreciation of nature, his poems often celebrated the beauty of the natural world and explored themes of memory, imagination, and childhood. Wordsworth's most famous works include "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey" and "The Prelude," an autobiographical epic. Along with fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, he published the groundbreaking collection "Lyrical Ballads," which marked a turning point in English literature. Wordsworth's writings continue to be widely studied and cherished for their lyrical beauty and profound insights into the human experience.

William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He is one of the world's most highly esteemed writers, and is thought to be the most quoted author in history, second only to the Bible. His plays and poems have been studied, analyzed, read, and loved for centuries.

An Anglo-Irish playwright, novelist, poet, short story writer and Freemason.. Irish writer playwright and poet

Emily Dickinson, born on December 10, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, is one of the premier American poets of the 19th century. She is an American poetess who died at the age of 56.

Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Annie Johnson, was a Pulitzer Prize-winning African American poet. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 8 1928 and died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 28, 2014. Angelou was also a dancer, an actress and a singer.

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, philosopher, visual artist, playwright, composer, and novelist from India. He won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Robert Frost, one of America's most celebrated poets, was born on March 26, 1874, in San Francisco, California. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, Frost's literary career flourished, and he became known for his vivid depictions of rural life and the human experience. His poetry often explored themes of nature, human existence, and the complexities of the human psyche. Frost received numerous accolades for his work, including four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. His most famous works include "The Road Not Taken," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," and "Mending Wall." Frost's profound impact on American literature continues to be felt, and his legacy as a literary giant endures to this day. He is one the foremost poets of the 20th century and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry.

Langston Hughes was an influential African-American poet and writer who was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. This cultural movement celebrated the artistic and intellectual achievements of African Americans. Born on February 1, 1901, in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes grew up in a time of racial segregation and discrimination. He is best known for his insightful and powerful poetry, often addressing identity, racism, and social injustice. Hughes' work was celebrated for its lyricism and portrayal of the African-American experience. Throughout his career, he wrote novels, short stories, plays, and essays and advocated for civil rights. His impact on American literature and culture is immeasurable, and his work continues to be studied and celebrated today. Langston Hughes passed away on May 22, 1967, but his legacy lives on through his influential and enduring literary contributions.

Shel Silverstein was a multi-talented American artist from Chicago. He was known as a poet, songwriter, musician, composer, screenwriter, and author of children's literature. His unique ability to combine poetry with music made his songs resonate with both children and adults, leaving a lasting impact. In addition to his words, his illustrations are also widely recognized and add a playful element to his poetry, captivating young readers. Silverstein's work often explores themes of imagination and adventure, encouraging children to dream big and embrace their creativity. His contributions to children's literature have had a profound impact on generations, making him a beloved figure in American culture.

American poet Walt Whitman, born on May 31, 1819, is recognized as one of the most influential poets and writers in the world. He transformed poetry with his free verse style, departing from traditional forms to allow for greater expression and emotion. His work often celebrates democracy and the human spirit, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all people. Whitman's influence can be seen in many modern writers, and his bold approach to self-expression has paved the way for future generations of poets and authors. Whitman's contributions to literature have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire.

Tupac Shakur, born in New York City, New York on June 16, 1971, was an American rapper. Shakur sold over 75 million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Rolling Stone Magazine named him the 86th Greatest Artist of All Time.

Rudyard Kipling was a British short-story writer, poet, and novelist, born in Mumbai, India and educated in England. One of Kipling's most famous works is The Jungle Books; a collection of poems and stories.

William Blake (born on November 28, 1757 in London's West End) was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. He was one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era.

Pablo Neruda is a Chilean poet, author, and communist activist considered one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. His real name was Ricardo Eliecer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto.

Sylvia Plath was a troubled American poet, novelist, short story writer, and essayist. Plath posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982.

William Butler Yeats, who is often considered to be one of the foremost figures of the 20th century literature, was born in Sandymount Castle, Dublin (Ireland) on June 13, 1865. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years he served as an Irish Senator for two terms. Yeats was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and, along with Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn, and others, founded the Abbey Theatre, where he served as its chief during its early years.

Alfred Lord Tennyson was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1850–1892 and is one of the most popular English poets. He lived from 6 August 1809 – 6 October 1892.

Edward Estlin Cummings, born October 14 1894, was a great 20th century American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright.

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., is an American former boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion, who is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. After turning professional, he went on to become the first boxer to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times.

Henry Charles Bukowski was a German-American poet, novelist and short story writer.

Sarojini Naidu, (born as Sarojini Chattopadhyaya) also known by the sobriquet as The Nightingale of India, was a child prodigy, Indian independence activist and poet. Naidu was one of the formers of the Indian Constitution. Naidu was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh state. Her birthday is celebrated as women's day all over India.

American poet and educator Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is one of the greatest poets in American history. Born in Portland, Maine, He became professor of Modern Languages in Harvard University; wrote "Hyperion," a romance in prose, and a succession of poems as well as lyrics, among the former "Evangeline," "The Golden Legend," "Hiawatha," and "Miles Standish"

Christina Georgina Rossetti was an English poet who wrote a variety of romantic, devotional, and children's poems. She is best known for her long poem Goblin Market, her love poem Remember, and for the words of the Christmas carol In the Bleak Midwinter.. English poet

Spike Milligan is an Irish comedian writer musician poet playwright soldier and actor. He was born an 'Army Brat', the son of an Irish Captain in the British Raj in India. He lived most of his life in England and served in the British Army, in the Royal Artillery during World War II.

Frederic Ogden Nash (August 19, 1902 – May 19, 1971) was an American poet best known for writing pithy and funny light verse. At the time of his death in 1971, the New York Times said his "droll verse with its unconventional rhymes made him the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry".