England:
* Daniel Defoe (1660-1731): Known for his pioneering work in the development of the novel, particularly Robinson Crusoe (1719). His works are characterized by realistic detail, adventurous plots, and exploration of social issues.
* Jonathan Swift (1667-1745): While known for his satirical works like Gulliver's Travels (1726), he also wrote the novel A Tale of a Tub (1704), which is a complex satire of religion and philosophy.
* Samuel Richardson (1689-1761): His novels are known for their sentimentalism, epistolary form (told through letters), and exploration of psychological and social themes. His most famous works include Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded (1740) and Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady (1748).
* Henry Fielding (1707-1754): He is considered the father of the English novel. He wrote satirical and humorous works like Joseph Andrews (1742) and Tom Jones (1749), which are known for their complex characters and realistic portrayals of English society.
* Laurence Sterne (1713-1768): He wrote The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759-1767), a novel characterized by its unconventional structure, stream-of-consciousness narrative, and humorous exploration of human nature.
* Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774): He wrote the sentimental novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), a classic example of the genre.
France:
* Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (1741-1803): He is known for his novel Les Liaisons dangereuses (1782), a cynical and realistic portrayal of aristocratic society and the destructive power of seduction.
* Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): Though primarily a philosopher, he wrote the semi-autobiographical novel Confessions (1782) and Emile, or On Education (1762), a work of social commentary.
Other Notable Authors:
* Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375): Though he lived in the 14th century, his Decameron (1353) was widely popular in the 18th century and had a strong influence on later novelists.
* Aphra Behn (1640-1689): One of the first professional women writers in England, she is known for her novels like Oroonoko (1688), which explores themes of slavery and colonialism.
Important to Note:
* The term "novel" was not fully established until the 18th century. Works like Don Quixote (1605) by Miguel de Cervantes are considered proto-novels and influenced later authors.
* This is just a selection of major novelists. There are many other talented writers who contributed to the development of the novel during this period.
Let me know if you'd like more information about any of these authors or their works!