The 100 most influential British?

[Jon Miller]

You guys have to understand.. I own his books, I have read them over 10 times (I think). I think he is a great author.

Doesn't change the fact that he didn't influence many people (at least in America).

Fans of his are generally a subset of nerds (not, generally, literature nerds), and even among authors/etc in this category there are few who have him as (obvious) inspiration.

Things might be different in Britain.

JM

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
The Daily Mail is campaigning to abolish the union?

They're certainly agitating against it.

[TheStinger]

Originally posted by Jon Miller


I am well aware of the quote. Doesn't change the fact that he didn't change sciences view of space at all.

JM

I wasn't actually expecting to be taken entirley seriously

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
Doesn't change the fact that he didn't influence many people (at least in America).
....

Things might be different in Britain.

JM

Erm, there is a world outside of North America, you know.

He is hugely influential in Britain - just about everyone has heard of the number 42. Most Anglophile French and German people that I meet are familiar with HHGTTG.

OK, let me try two other writers :

P.G. Wodehouse
J.R.R. Tolkien

Now, the former could be in the 'cult' category (which is a much more civilised description than this horrible 'sub-nerd' business), but the latter basically invented the fantasy genre. He must be in the top 100.

[Arrian]

I am ashamed. I failed to mention Tolkein. Some LotR fan I am.

Or does he qualify as South African?

-Arrian

[Jon Miller]

If we are interested in subcultures, let me suggest:

CS Lewis - not only for Narnia (hugely influencial, and more read on this side then Douglas Adams), but also for his Christian works (Mere Christianity was hugely influential)

William Tyndale - Important translation of the Bible, which served as a basis for the King James Bible (over 80% is unaltered).

Jon Miller

[Arrian]

C.S. Lewis, yeah, he prolly belongs.

-Arrian

[Jon Miller]

If we are going into Sci Fi fantasy (which you are with Douglas Adams and Tolkien (and I did mention Tolkien, and I think he is far more influential than Douglas Adams)), I think Rowling must be mentioned.

People my age group, and for a good interval on each side, rarely read. On the other hand, kids (I guess they are teenagers now) read quite often. This is mostly thanks to Rowling's Harry Potter, and if this doesn't die out would be a big developement (at least larger than Douglas Adams).

JM

[Jon Miller]

The King James Bible also had huge literary significance. I don't think Douglas Adam's belongs nor CS Lewis (although CS Lewis would get in there first, I think). But Tyndale definitely belongs.

JM

[Jon Miller]

Who has Douglas Adam's inspred in Britian? Just interested.

JM

[Arrian]

Rowling is no Tolkien.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

What about Isambard Kingdom Brunel. I mean, he was in RR Tycoon!

He was a pretty impressive guy, actually.

-Arrian

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
Who has Douglas Adam's inspred in Britian? Just interested.

JM

Millions of ordinary people for a start. I'm not an avid reader of recent authors, but there are definately echoes of Adams in Terry Pratchett's work.

[Jon Miller]

That is about the only one I could think of. Does not make one influential.

And I read a lot.

Inspired? Or enjoyed? If you are going to put in enjoyed, then the list should be topped by football stars and music stars, as well as film stars.

Influential != being enjoyed by many.

JM

[Krill]

Bobby Moore. 'Nuff Said.