Hawthorne was also a significant figure. With his novel 'The Scarlet Letter', he delved deep into the Puritan society of early America. His writing was full of symbolism and complex characters, exploring themes like guilt, sin, and the human psyche in the context of early American life.
Another important author was James Fenimore Cooper. He is well - known for his 'Leatherstocking Tales', which included books like 'The Last of the Mohicans'. Cooper was great at portraying the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans, as well as the wild landscapes of America. He had a big influence on the development of the American novel.
Leslie Marmon Silko is another important figure. Her works, such as 'Ceremony', are widely recognized. Silko combines elements of Laguna Pueblo culture with broader human experiences. She uses her writing to preserve and promote American Indian cultures, often highlighting the importance of storytelling in maintaining cultural heritage.
James Fenimore Cooper was quite renowned for his contributions to early American romance novels. His novels combined adventure with romantic elements. For instance, in 'The Pioneers', he depicted the life in early American settlements and the romances that blossomed there. Catharine Maria Sedgwick was also popular. Her works delved into the social and romantic lives of early Americans. She was known for her ability to portray the nuances of relationships in that era. Additionally, Lydia Maria Child wrote some works that could be considered early American romance novels, with her stories often dealing with love and the changing American society.
Jane Austen was one. Her works, though not strictly just sentimental, had elements of it. For instance, in 'Pride and Prejudice', there are moments of strong emotion and the exploration of characters' sensibilities.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was a very prominent author. His works, like 'The Great Gatsby', are still widely read today. He captured the essence of the Jazz Age with its glamour and underlying emptiness.
Jules Verne was a very notable one. He wrote 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' and other great works.
J.K. Rowling was a very notable author in the early 2000s. Her 'Harry Potter' series became a global phenomenon. George R.R. Martin also started to gain a lot of attention with 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. His detailed world - building and complex characters made his work stand out. Another one was Christopher Paolini with his 'Inheritance Cycle' starting with 'Eragon' which was quite popular among young adult readers.
Cotton Mather was a very notable one. His works were filled with religious teachings and moral lessons. He wrote about the events and people in the Puritan community, often with a view to uphold the Puritan way of life.
Yevgeny Zamyatin, although his works were sometimes controversial, was also part of early Soviet literature that had elements of science fiction. His most famous work 'We' had dystopian elements which were different from the more utopian - leaning science fiction of some of his contemporaries, but it still contributed to the overall landscape of early Soviet science - fictional thought.
There is also John Winthrop. His writings were important in documenting the Puritan colony in Massachusetts. These authors not only wrote about the physical aspects of colonial life like building settlements but also about the spiritual and social aspects. Their works are significant for understanding the development of American literature and the American identity.
F. Scott Fitzgerald is also notable. 'The Great Gatsby' is a classic. It shows the decadence and dreams of the Jazz Age, with its complex characters and themes of love, wealth and the American Dream.