Unknown Author

A work created by an “unknown author” has no identifiable author because their name is lost to history, intentionally undisclosed, or never recorded. This is often indicated by the term “anonymous” (or its abbreviation “anon.”) in citations and bibliographies, and can apply to various works from ancient texts and folklore to some modern pieces

An author who is unknown is referred to as anonymous. The work they produce is called an anonymous work. There are two primary reasons a work’s author might be unknown: 

• Lost to history: For ancient texts, folk tales, and myths, the original creator’s identity may have simply been forgotten over time.
• Intentional anonymity: An author may purposefully choose not to disclose their name, often to avoid controversy, protect their privacy, or explore themes without personal attribution. 

Examples of anonymous and “unknown” works

• Beowulf: a well-known epic poem from Anglo-Saxon England with no attributed author.
• The Arabian Nights: a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales gathered over centuries by various unknown authors and translators.
• The Holy Bible: many books within the Bible were written anonymously.
• A Warning (2019): an anonymous book written by a “senior Trump administration official.” The author’s identity was later revealed to be Miles Taylor. 

How to cite an unknown author

When citing a work with an unknown author, academic style guides offer specific instructions. For example, the APA style suggests using the title of the work in place of the author’s name in both in-text citations and the reference list

Why an author might be unknown:

Historical Loss: The author’s identity may simply be lost over time, especially with works from antiquity. Intentional Anonymity: A creator might choose to publish their work without their name to avoid controversy, promote the work itself, or for other personal reasons. Lack of Documentation: The creator’s identity may never have been documented in the first place.

How it’s indicated:

“Anonymous”: This is the most common term used to describe a work with an unknown author. “Anon.” or “Author Unknown”: The abbreviation “anon.” or the phrase “Author Unknown” is frequently used in academic and bibliographic contexts to denote the absence of an author’s name.

Examples of works with unknown authors:

Ancient Texts: The identity of the author of many ancient documents is lost to history. Folktales and Myths: Many folk tales and myths have “unknown” authors because they were passed down orally for generations. Some Modern Works: Occasionally, works are published intentionally without an author’s name being associated with them.

Unknown Authors Books

Over 800 book in the library but Authors are not listed. if you interested read UNKNOWN AUTHORS