Mind-Benders of Mesopotamian History
History's first named author was a Sumerian priestess
The earliest author in world history known by name is Enheduanna, a high priestess at Ur and a daughter of Sargon of Akkad. Around 2285 BCE she composed hymns in Sumerian — including a long poem to the goddess Inanna — and attached her own name to them, roughly 4,300 years ago and some 1,500 years before Homer.
How we know
Enheduanna (fl. c. 2285 BCE), EN-priestess of the moon god Nanna at Ur and daughter of Sargon of Akkad; author of the Sumerian Temple Hymns and "The Exaltation of Inanna" — the earliest known author in world history attached to their work by name. 2285 + 2026 = 4,311 (~4,300); before Homer (c. 8th c. BCE) ~1,500 yrs.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.