12. George Orwell
Born as Eric Arthur Blair, George Orwell was one of the most notable 20th-century dystopian novelists and social and political critics. While socialist at heart, Orwell is best-known for his staunch criticism of totalitarian systems, especially communism and fascism. He hasn’t remained blind to his own government’s shortcomings as well, since both British colonial authorities, and those closer to home have often been the targets of his pen. Fighter in Spanish civil war, Orwell knew firsthand how politicians sway the masses and turn them against each other. “1984” and “Animal Farm” are monumental works that are still popular, even 65 and 70 years after their publishing respectively. Inventor of the “Big Brother” term had this to say about religion: “Mankind is not likely to salvage civilization unless he can evolve a system of good and evil, which is independent of heaven and hell.”
