Rapunzel (Grimm's Fairy Tales) Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, 1886

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair." The story of a young lady, imprisoned in a tower by an enchantress from the time she was born, was included in Grimm's Fairy Tales. This yarn dates back to at least the early 1800s but may be centuries older.

Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle, 1887

For 40 years, from 1887 to 1927, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published four novels and 56 short stories chronicling the adventures of the brilliant "consulting detective" Sherlock Holmes. Most of the stories are told from the viewpoint of Holmes' companion, Dr. John Watson.

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass Lewis Carroll, 1865

In Lewis Caroll's Alice Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, the reader meets all manner of strange characters -- including the March Hare and the Hatter. Because of a punishment by the Queen of Hearts, Time itself stops for them -- at 6 p.m. For the Hatter and the Hare, it's always Tea Time.

Peter Pan J. M. Barrie, 1906

The boy who never grows up -- and yes, the boy who can fly -- is one of the most beloved characters in popular culture. Peter has appeared in plays, TV shows, movies and more, but he made his bow in the works of Scottish novelist J.M. Barrie.