Who were the prominent authors of 18th century mystery novels?

Henry Fielding was a very prominent one. He wrote 'Tom Jones' which is considered a classic of the 18th - century novel. Another was Samuel Richardson, known for his epistolary novels like 'Clarissa' and 'Pamela'. Daniel Defoe was also important, with 'Robinson Crusoe' being his well - known work.

Madame de La Fayette was also well - known. Her novel 'The Princesse de Clèves' is considered a masterpiece. It was a forerunner in the development of the psychological novel, as it delved deeply into the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the prominent figures. Although he is more known for his non - fictional works, his 'The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin' had elements that influenced American novel - writing. Another was Charles Brockden Brown. His works were some of the earliest examples of American Gothic novels. He explored themes like the human psyche and the dark side of human nature in the context of the young American nation.

Charlotte Bronte was a significant figure. Her 'Jane Eyre' was a powerful novel that had a strong female protagonist. Emily Bronte, Charlotte's sister, was also well - known for 'Wuthering Heights', a novel full of passion and complex characters. Thomas Hardy was another important author. His works often had a sense of melancholy and explored the relationship between people and the harsh rural landscapes.

Anne Bradstreet was a well - known author. Her works often dealt with family life and her personal experiences as a woman in the colonies. Another was Cotton Mather. He wrote on religious and historical topics, and his works had a great influence on the Puritan community.

There was also Aphra Behn. She wrote works that had elements that contributed to the development of the gothic genre in the 17th century. Her works often explored themes of power, love, and the darker aspects of human nature within settings that had a certain gothic feel to them. Her writing style was unique for her time and influenced other writers who were dabbling in the gothic style.

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay stands out. He introduced new literary styles and themes in his novels. His writing had a significant impact on the development of the Bengali novel, which in turn influenced Indian novels as a whole. Then there was Toru Dutt. She was a female author who made important contributions with her works that often had a blend of Indian and Western literary elements.

Jane Austen was a very prominent one. Her works like 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Emma' are well - known. Austen was great at portraying the lives of the English gentry and the social norms of the time.

Jane Austen also emerged towards the end of the 18th century. Her novels, like 'Pride and Prejudice', are highly regarded. She was great at portraying the social life and relationships of the upper - middle class in England.

Daniel Defoe was a very prominent author. His 'Robinson Crusoe' is a well - known work from the 18th century. It tells the story of a man stranded on an island and his survival and self - discovery there.