Have you ever wondered where some of your favorite American authors found inspiration for their writing? Many well-known writers have lived and worked in England, taking advantage of the country’s rich history, cultural diversity, and vibrant literary scene.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 10 American famous authors who called England home at some point in their careers. From Ernest Hemingway to T.S. Eliot, these writers left their mark on the literary world and continue to be celebrated and studied today. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature or modern fiction, there is something for everyone on this list. So without further ado, let’s dive in and explore the lives and works of these talented writers.

Author #1: Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was a renowned American author and journalist who is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, Hemingway began his career as a journalist and later turned to fiction writing. He is best known for his novels “The Old Man and the Sea,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” as well as his short stories and non-fiction works.

Hemingway spent a significant amount of time in England during his career. In the 1920s, he lived in Paris and was a regular contributor to the expat magazine “The Transatlantic Review,” which was edited by Ford Madox Ford and published in London. Hemingway’s time in Paris and his association with the “Lost Generation” of expat writers, including Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald, had a profound influence on his writing.

In the 1930s, Hemingway spent more time in England, staying at the White Hart Inn in the village of Burwash in Sussex. It was during this time that he wrote some of his most famous works, including “Death in the Afternoon” and “A Farewell to Arms.” Hemingway also spent time in London, where he was a frequent visitor to the city’s pubs and literary circles.

Overall, Hemingway’s time in England was a productive and influential period in his career, and his experiences in the country can be seen in his writing.

Author #2: T.S. Eliot

Thomas Stearns Eliot, known as T.S. Eliot, was a poet, playwright, and literary critic who is considered one of the greatest English-language writers of the 20th century. Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1888, Eliot moved to England in 1914 and became a British citizen in 1927.

Eliot is best known for his poetry, including the collections “The Waste Land,” “Four Quartets,” and “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” which served as the basis for the musical “Cats.” He was also a playwright and wrote several plays, including “The Cocktail Party” and “The Confidential Clerk.”

Eliot’s time in England had a significant impact on his work. He was a member of the group known as the “modernists,” which included other writers such as James Joyce and Ezra Pound. Eliot’s poetry was heavily influenced by the cultural and political climate of the time, and he was known for his use of myth, symbol, and allusion in his writing.

Eliot received numerous awards and accolades during his career, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948. He is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative poets of the 20th century.

Author #3: Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath was an American poet and novelist who is best known for her confessional poetry and her semi-autobiographical novel “The Bell Jar.” Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1932, Plath studied at Smith College and later attended Newnham College at the University of Cambridge on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Plath’s time in England was marked by personal and professional struggles. She struggled with depression and mental illness and was hospitalized multiple times. Despite these challenges, Plath was a prolific writer and produced a significant amount of work while living in England.

In addition to “The Bell Jar,” which was published shortly before her death, Plath’s poetry collections “The Colossus” and “Ariel” were also published while she was living in England. These works, which explore themes of identity, femininity, and mental illness, cemented Plath’s reputation as a major voice in 20th-century 

Author #4: Henry James

Henry James was an American novelist, short story writer, and critic who was one of the leading figures in the realist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in New York City in 1843, James spent much of his life in Europe, including a significant amount of time in England.

James is best known for his novels “The Portrait of a Lady,” “The Bostonians,” and “The Ambassadors,” which explore themes of American innocence and experience, social class, and cultural differences. He was also a prolific writer of short stories and was a respected literary critic.

James’s time in England had a profound influence on his work. He was a member of the “Anglo-American” literary community and was close with other writers such as Edith Wharton and Robert Louis Stevenson. James’s writing often drew on his experiences and observations of English society and culture, and his work is known for its nuanced portrayal of characters and its attention to detail.

Author #5: F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American writer and journalist who is best known for his novels “The Great Gatsby” and “Tender is the Night.” Born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1896, Fitzgerald was a member of the “Lost Generation” of writers who lived and worked in Europe during the 1920s.

Fitzgerald spent a significant amount of time in England during his career and was friends with other writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Ezra Pound. He was a frequent visitor to London’s literary circles and was heavily influenced by the cultural and social changes of the time. His work is known for its portrayal of the “Jazz Age” and the decadence and excess of the era, as well as its themes of love, loss, and the American Dream.

Author #6: Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and short stories. Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1809, Poe spent much of his life in the United States, but he also spent a significant amount of time in Europe, including a stint in England.

Poe is best known for his horror and mystery tales, including “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Pit and the Pendulum.” His work is known for its macabre themes and its use of Gothic elements. Poe was also a pioneer of the detective story genre and is credited with creating the first detective character in fiction, C. Auguste Dupin.

Poe’s time in England had a significant impact on his work. He was exposed to the work of English writers such as Lord Byron and Sir Walter Scott and was influenced by the Romantic movement. Poe’s writing also reflects the cultural and social changes of the time, including the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the middle class.

Overall, Edgar Allan Poe is remembered as a major figure in American literature and his work continues to be widely read and studied.

Author #7: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer who is best known for his works “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of the Seven Gables.” Born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804, Hawthorne spent much of his career in the United States, but he also spent time in Europe, including a trip to England in the 1850s.

Hawthorne’s work is known for its exploration of themes such as sin, guilt, and redemption, and his writing is often seen as a commentary on the Puritan heritage of New England. Hawthorne’s writing is also known for its use of allegory and symbolism and its portrayal of complex psychological characters.

Hawthorne’s time in England had a significant impact on his work. He was exposed to the work of English writers such as Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray and was influenced by the Victorian era and the social changes of the time. Hawthorne’s writing reflects these influences and also incorporates elements of his own experiences and observations while living in England.

Author #8: Mark Twain

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer and humorist who is best known for his novels “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Born in Florida, Missouri in 1835, Twain spent much of his life in the United States, but he also traveled extensively and spent time in Europe, including a trip to England in the 1870s.

Twain’s work is known for its wit, humor, and social commentary, and he is often considered one of the greatest writers in American literature. Twain’s writing often draws on his own experiences and observations, and his characters are known for their authenticity and their portrayal of American life and culture.

Twain’s time in England had a significant impact on his work. He was exposed to the work of English writers such as Charles Dickens and was influenced by the social and cultural changes of the time. Twain’s writing reflects these influences and also incorporates elements of his own experiences and observations while living in England.

Author #9: Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist who is considered one of the greatest poets in American literature. Born in West Hills, New York in 1819, Whitman spent most of his life in the United States, but he also traveled extensively and spent time in Europe, including a trip to England in the 1870s.

Whitman is best known for his collection “Leaves of Grass,” which was published in multiple editions during his lifetime and which explores themes of democracy, nature, and individualism. Whitman’s poetry is known for its use of free verse and its celebration of the common man.

Whitman’s time in England had a significant impact on his work. He was exposed to the work of English poets such as John Keats and was influenced by the cultural and social changes of the time. Whitman’s poetry reflects these influences and also incorporates elements of his own experiences and observations while living in England.

Author #10: Nathaniel Parker Willis

Nathaniel Parker Willis was an American author, poet, and editor who is best known for his poetry and his work as a journalist. Born in Portland, Maine in 1806, Willis spent much of his life in the United States, but he also traveled extensively and spent time in Europe, including a trip to England in the 1840s.

Willis is known for his poetry collections “The Deserted Bride” and “The Scenery of America,” which explore themes of love, nature, and patriotism. He was also a prolific journalist and wrote for a number of publications, including “The New York Mirror,” which he helped to establish.

Willis’s time in England had a significant impact on his work. He was exposed to the work of English writers such as Lord Byron and was influenced by the cultural and social changes of the time. Willis’s writing reflects these influences and also incorporates elements of his own experiences and observations while living in England.

Overall, Nathaniel Parker Willis is remembered as an important figure in American literature and his work continues to be widely read and studied.

Visit England Just Like Your Favorite US Authors

England has played host to many talented American writers over the years. From Ernest Hemingway to Nathaniel Parker Willis, these authors have left their mark on the literary world and continue to be celebrated and studied today. Whether you’re a fan of classic literature or modern fiction, there is something for everyone on this list.

If you’re planning a trip to England and would like a little help from local experts, our team is happy to help! Simply fill in the form below and one of our friendly planners will be in touch with a complimentary tour itinerary tailored to you.