Writers and other artists of 20 century which in your opinion will be remembered

[dumbledore11214]

Hey guys, this is sort of "help me remember" post :). I was having a discussion with a good friend of mine in real life and real time today and he made an argument that 20 century have not produced many (if at all) writers, composers, painters which are destined to be remember forever. And sadly I was not able to raise many counter arguments to that, so maybe you can help me. I mean, of course I know quite a few writers in my culture who worked in 20 century and who I hope will be remembered for a long time - in my culture that is. But I am not arrogant enough to assume that they will transcend the barriers of my culture, you know? I feel that to understand them, you need to be of my culture. Like if I bring one name, I do not think anybody who is not studying Russian literature would know it. I think Tolstoy and Dostoevski are well known, but thats about it. And the same holds true for many american writers of 20 century or writers of any country. "To kill a Mocking bird" is considered a great classic of 20 century for example, by a lot of  americans, right? But without any doubt if I were to ask a lot  of  my friends and acquaintances , they would say huh, what is this book. And please take my word for it, they are very well read.

So I guess, what I am asking is for you to give me a few names from any area of art, not just writers in the 20 century who are known to everybody, or at least to a lot of  people from different countries, and cultures. I am not even saying that person has to read their works, just to know who they are. Like when myself and my friend were talking, we definitely agreed that 19 century was a golden age in so many areas, including literature, music, paintings, etc. He was like, if you say the name Bethoven to anybody, even not very educated person is highly unlikely to suggest that he was somebody else other than famous composer.

He was like, who do you think could be another Bethoven, or Verdi, or Puccini of 20 century in music?

Who do you think would be another Shakespeare of 20 century? Okay, we agreed that invoking Shakespeare is not very fair since there is unlikely to be another Shakespeare ever, but you get the gist :) At least give me another Jane Austen maybe? :)

He grudgingly agree with me that Tolkien is likely to live forever, but he was not very sure.

And you know, what the funny part is since our group is Harry Potter group? This gentleman has no interest in reading Harry Potter, he always teased me about my interest in it, but JKR was the only writer he agreed without any hesitation that would be remembered for a very long time lol. 

I am not arguing with him about that of course, since I think so too, but I was sad, that  I could not come up with any other names which I hope 20 century will be remembered by.

And you know what else my friend said? I think 20 century will not be remembered because many brilliant artists worked at that time, he thinks people will remember Hittler, Lenin, and probably Stalin and the horrors they caused and at least about this part I totally agree.


Help me, guys please :) Thanks in advance.

Alla