The 444 Greatest Works of British Literature

British writers have dominated literature in the modern era until relatively recently. We have many more works from Britain contending for the status of "great literature" than from any other part of the world. 

Whether this assessment is fair and whether it will stand the test of more diverse times is a question readers, writers, critics and scholars are questioning today. Meanwhile, this list reflects the existing consensus, as far as we can determine, about the greatest literature from Britain. It is an extension of the comprehensive research and surveys carried out over the past two decades for our Greatest Literature of All Time list.

For the purposes of this list, Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales. (Ireland, including Northern Ireland, now has its own greatest list.)

Preference is given to major works of creative literature—such as novels, novellas, plays, epic poems and collections—although a few historically significant short works may also be included.

Latest update: December 24, 2022

Click linked titles and authors for details, critiques, text and other information.

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See also:

Article
Creating the Greatest Literature of All Time list

List
Greatest American Literature of All Time

List
Greatest Novels of All Time

List
Greatest Plays of All Time

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Atonement

Beowulf, trans. Heaney

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EDITOR ERIC'S DISCOVERY
A novel of the counterculture.