January 28

Born in Bergen in 1684, Holberg moved to Copenhagen to study at the University of Copenhagen. He wrote extensively on history and philosophy, combining scholarly rigor with a sharp wit. His comedies such as Jeppe of the Hill and The Political Tinker remain part of Scandinavian theater repertoire. He also authored one of the first comprehensive histories of Denmark and Norway. Holberg’s writings laid the foundation for the Enlightenment in Scandinavia and influenced generations of writers and scholars.

Born in 1872 in Guelph, Ontario, John McCrae studied medicine at the University of Toronto. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WWI. It was after treating casualties at Ypres that he wrote the enduring poem 'In Flanders Fields'. His evocative verses captured the sacrifice of soldiers amidst fields of poppies. McCrae continued to serve as a field surgeon until his death from pneumonia in January 1918. His legacy endures through the poem that inspired remembrance traditions around the world.

Born Emilie Kittlová in 1878 in Prague, Emmy Destinn rose to fame in the early 20th century as one of Europe’s leading sopranos. She captivated audiences with her performances at the Metropolitan Opera and Bayreuth Festival. Destinn was also a published poet whose verses reflected the passions that fueled her artistry. During World War I, she supported Czech independence efforts, which led to her arrest by Austrian authorities in 1915. After the war, she continued to perform across Europe before retiring to Prague. Her legacy endures through recordings and her contributions to Czech national culture.

William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin in 1865 and became one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. His early poetry drew on Irish myth and folklore, while his later works explored modernist themes of identity and history. Yeats helped found the Abbey Theatre, shaping the course of Irish drama. He was awarded the 1923 Nobel Prize in Literature for his visionary poetry. Beyond writing, he served in the Irish Senate and championed cultural revival in independent Ireland. His poems such as 'The Second Coming' continue to influence writers and readers worldwide.

Born in 1875 in Caracas, Reynaldo Hahn moved to Paris as a child and studied composition at the Paris Conservatoire. He became celebrated for his melodic chansons and operas, blending elegance with lyrical charm. Hahn also conducted major orchestras and opera houses across Europe, interpreting works from Mozart to Debussy. As a music critic for Le Figaro and other publications, he championed young composers and refined taste. A close friend of Marcel Proust, he influenced French cultural life through salons and collaborations. Hahn’s works continue to be performed and recorded, celebrated for their refinement and emotional depth.

Born Tevfik Kolaylı in 1879 in Bodrum, Neyzen Tevfik mastered the ney, a traditional reed flute, and gained fame as a musician. His satirical poems critiqued social and political norms in the late Ottoman and early Republican eras. Tevfik’s philosophical writings blended Sufi mysticism with sharp wit and irreverent humor. He led a bohemian existence, performing in coffee houses and public gatherings across Turkey. His poetic and musical contributions remain influential in Turkish cultural history.

Born in 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama, Zora Neale Hurston emerged as a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. She studied anthropology at Barnard College and conducted extensive fieldwork on African American folklore in the South. Hurston’s 1937 novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God" is celebrated for its rich dialect and exploration of black womanhood. Though her work fell into obscurity after her death, it was revived in the 1970s by writers like Alice Walker. Hurston’s legacy endures in her novels, essays, and dedication to preserving African American cultural heritage.

Originally a poet, Marcel Broodthaers (1924-1976) reinvented himself as a visual artist in the 1960s, producing works that blurred distinctions between language, objects, and meaning. His iconic installations and films often critiqued the commercialization of art and the authority of museums. Broodthaers founded the Musee d'Art Moderne, Departement des Aigles, a fictional institution that satirized cultural hierarchies. He employed everyday materials—books, shells, packaged goods—to create thought-provoking juxtapositions. His poetic sensibility informed his conceptual approach, making him a pivotal figure in postmodern art. Broodthaers's influence extends across contemporary art, inspiring artists to question the role of language and institutions in shaping artistic value.

Ward Moore (1903-1978) gained recognition for novels and short stories that combined historical settings with science fiction elements. His best-known work, the alternative history novel Bring the Jubilee, explores a world where the Confederacy won the American Civil War. Moore's writing often delved into themes of power, identity, and the consequences of historical change. He contributed to magazines such as The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, influencing mid-20th-century speculative literature. Moore's clear prose and inventive premises earned him a dedicated readership. He also wrote television scripts and non-fiction articles. His legacy endures among fans of alternative history and early science fiction.

Born in 1940 near Leningrad, Brodsky rose to prominence in the 1960s and was persecuted by Soviet authorities for his work. Exiled to the United States in 1972, he taught at institutions such as Mount Holyoke College and University of California, Berkeley. His poetry collections, including "A Part of Speech" and "Less Than One," blend lyrical beauty with philosophical depth. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1987, his writings on exile, language, and identity influenced generations. Brodsky’s legacy endures through his essays, lectures, and translations, marking him as a bridge between Russian and Western literary traditions. He passed away in 1996.

Born in 1911, Hogarth began his career illustrating comic strips and magazines. In 1937 he took over the Tarzan newspaper strip, infusing it with dynamic anatomy and action. His work ran until 1950 and set new standards for comic art. As an educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York, he authored influential drawing textbooks such as "Dynamic Anatomy" and "Drawing Dynamic Hands." Hogarth’s teachings and distinctive style have guided generations of artists and storyboard professionals. He was posthumously inducted into the Comic Art Hall of Fame and died in 1996.

Born in 1914 in Cleveland, Siegel collaborated with artist Joe Shuster to create Superman, debuting in Action Comics #1 (1938). Their character introduced the archetype of the modern superhero and revolutionized the comic-book industry. Despite the success of Superman, Siegel fought for decades to secure proper credit and financial compensation. He continued writing and illustrating various comics and pulp stories throughout his career. Siegel’s work laid the groundwork for comic-book storytelling and his creation remains a cultural icon. He passed away in 1996.