Just knowing the character name or having seen a film adaptation doesn't count. You must have read a work that includes the character created by the listed author. Either you know the work(s)... or you don't.
ALL list selections are from American fiction.
Some characters come from one work alone. Others appear in multiple works. Many are from classic lit or poetry, but some come from pop lit, or even children's lit (those with chapters). Most are represented individually, except in cases when a pair naturally fit. I excluded graphic fiction and picture book characters. To include those would boost numbers sky high.
The list is chronological from date of publication. However, once a particular author appears, all of his/her characters are listed together. That aside, the order is mostly accurate (I think).
I started with a target of 200 characters, but the number bulged to 213. Drop me a line and tell me who I left out. Or who I should have cut.
