An essayist is an author who writes compositions which can be about any particular subject. The essay is (usually) shorter and (mostly) more tentative than a formal finished monograph or treatise.
The essay was a favourite form of the man of letters, allowing a display of understated reading and culture. In recent years it has also been used with greater acuity, and more definite political intent.
A representative list of famous essayists:
See also
