Literary Dads. Top 5 Famous Fathers in Literature. Who are the fathers in literature? What actions do they take? How does the father relate to his children and others in society? Fathers can be loving and inspiring in literature, but literary dads aren't always perfect. Read more about fathers in literature.1. King Lear
by William Shakespeare. King Lear is one of the most famous father figures in literary history. With madness, murder, and tragedy, this play involves the estrangement of King Lear's loving daughter, Cordelia, as he divides his kingdom between his other two daughters.
2. Pere Goriot
by Honore de Balzac. With a new translation by Burton Raffel, this edition offers Balzac's study of paternal love, greed, envy, and despair. Read more about this 19th-century King Lear character.

3. The Mayor of Casterbridge
by Thomas Hardy. Michael Henchard has a wife and a baby daughter, but he sells his family in an impulsive move. Later, he becomes the mayor of Casterbridge, but can he make amends to h

4. Atticus - To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee. Atticus is a small-town lawyer who defends an innocent man against prejudicial charges.

5. Prospero - Tempest
by William Shakespeare. Prospero was the Duke of Milan, but he was forced to flee from his conniving brother. Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, spend 12 years on an island. Read more about Prospero.

Source:classiclit