Many famous writers, artists, scientists, and public figures have been devoted fountain pen users. Here is a look at some notable names and their pens of choice.
Writers and Authors
Mark Twain was a devoted user of his Conklin pen, and became the brand's spokesperson. He wrote: "I prefer it to ten other fountain pens because it carries its filler in its own stomach, and I cannot mislay it by art or intention. Also, I prefer it because it is a profanity saver; it cannot roll off the desk."
Ernest Hemingway developed a fondness for Montegrappa fountain pens whilst stationed in Italy during the First World War.
Dylan Thomas -- the Welsh poet known for Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night -- often wrote with a Parker 51.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle penned his later Sherlock Holmes novels with a Parker Duofold. J.K. Rowling is another noted Duofold fan.
Neil Gaiman discovered fountain pens while writing Stardust. His favourite became the Pilot Custom 823, though he has also written with a Lamy 2000 and a TWSBI Diamond 580.
Stephen King rediscovered a love of writing by hand with a Waterman Hemisphere.
Anne Frank is said to have used a Montblanc Meisterstück to write her diary. She even wrote about the loss of her beloved pen -- a gift from her grandmother -- which was accidentally thrown into the fire.
Simone de Beauvoir was known to use an Esterbrook J and a Sheaffer Snorkel Triumph.
Jane Austen -- writing before the fountain pen existed -- used a quill dip pen with her own iron-gall ink and a specially bound notebook with quarter-tanned sheep covers and marble paper sides.
Scientists and Thinkers
Albert Einstein had a love for his Pelikan 100N. He is also thought to have researched the Theory of Relativity with a Waterman Taper-cap, which is now on display at the Boerhaave Museum in the Netherlands.
Royalty and Heads of State
Queen Elizabeth II was a lifelong user of the Parker 51, granting Parker a Royal Warrant in 1962. President Eisenhower was another notable Parker 51 user.
Walt Disney -- a well-used vintage Sheaffer Balance fountain pen was found in his desk during a 1970 inventory.
Actors and Public Figures
Winston Churchill used many pen brands over the years. During the First World War he wrote to his wife: "Send me a new Onoto pen. I have stupidly lost mine."
Roger Moore admitted in an interview: "Pens. I have hundreds of them, all Montblanc."
Kristen Stewart is a serious pen collector. She was gifted a $46,000 Tibaldi Bentley Crewe fountain pen by Robert Pattinson.
Emma Watson got through her university years with her trusty Parker fountain pens.
On Screen
James Bond has used fountain pens to memorable effect on screen -- a Montblanc Meisterstück with gadget functions in Octopussy, and a Parker Jotter doubling as an explosive device in GoldenEye.
Shop the Pens of the Famous
Many of the pens used by these notable figures are still available today. Browse our collections of Parker, Pelikan, Waterman, Sheaffer, and Onoto at Pure Pens. If you need help choosing, get in touch and we will be happy to advise.