T.E. Lawrence (1888-1935), known as 'Lawrence of Arabia' lived in Dorset from 1923 until his fatal motor cycle accident near his cottage known as Clouds Hill, near Moreton. Dorset Library Service's substantial collection of printed works by and about Lawrence is held at Wareham Library.

Percy Francis Westerman (1876-1959), popular author of numerous adventure books for boys, wrote the majority of his books in Dorset and lived there until his death at the age of 82. Dorset Library Service's research collection of his books is held at Wareham Library.

In 1879 the Rev. Charles Francis Powys became curate of St Peter's Church, Dorchester. All eleven children in this remarkable family showed some literary or artistic talent, and three of them have become novelists and poets of lasting reputation.

The scope of the Hardy Collection at the Dorset History Centre reflects the range of Hardy's genius. Thomas Hardy was born in Dorset where he lived for most of his working life and found 'quite enough human nature...for one man's literary purpose'.

William Barnes is best known for his dialect poetry, though his formal schooling ended at the age of 13. The collection at the Dorset History Centre contains most of his published works.

These collections of Dorset authors and material include: John Fowles; Sir Frederick Treves and Sylvia Townsend Warner.