February 18

Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac was a key figure in the development of French prose style during the early 17th century. His collection 'Lettres' showcased clarity, grace, and rhetorical skill, earning him a reputation as a founder of French literary classicism. Balzac’s works influenced later writers such as Boileau and Corneille. He also penned essays and theological treatises, engaging with contemporary debates on language and style. His refined language set new standards for elegance and precision in French literature.

Kristijonas Donelaitis was born in 1714 in East Prussia and served as a Lutheran pastor for over forty years in the parish of Tollmingkehmen. He is celebrated as one of the first authors to write literature in Lithuanian, capturing rural life and traditions in his masterpiece 'The Seasons'. This four-part pastoral epic offers vivid depictions of peasant work, customs, and the changing landscapes of the Lithuanian countryside. Donelaitis balanced his clerical duties with scholarly interests in philology and folklore. His work laid the foundation for Lithuanian literary language and national identity. Although 'The Seasons' was published posthumously, it became a symbol of cultural revival in the 19th century. He died in 1780, honored as a pioneer of Lithuanian literature.

Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim was born in 1719 and became a central literary figure of the German Enlightenment. His poetry collection 'Preussische Kriegslieder' celebrated patriotic themes and stirred national sentiment during the Seven Years' War. As a teacher at the Halberstadt cathedral school, he mentored young writers and hosted a renowned literary salon that attracted luminaries like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Gleim’s emphasis on sentiment and clarity influenced the transition from Baroque to Enlightenment literature in Germany. He also accumulated a significant library and correspondence archive, preserving insights into 18th-century literary culture. He died in 1803, remembered as the 'Father Gleim' for his nurturing role in German letters.

Born on April 23, 1895, in Christchurch, Ngaio Marsh was a pioneering figure in the Golden Age of detective fiction. She introduced the gentleman detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn in her debut novel in 1934, blending intricate plots with high society settings. Marsh's sharp wit and keen observation made her stories stand out, earning international acclaim and a loyal readership. Beyond writing, she was an accomplished theatre director, staging productions for New Zealand's amateur dramatic societies. In 1966, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to literature and the arts. Her works remain in print today, celebrated for their elegance, humor, and classic whodunit structure.

Born on August 11, 1922, in Montreal, Mavis Gallant moved to Paris after World War II, becoming a lifelong expat. She contributed over 90 stories to The New Yorker, earning acclaim for her precise prose and keen insight. Her collections, including 'Home Truths' (1958) and 'Paris Stories' (1985), showcase her mastery of character and place. Gallant received numerous awards, such as the O. Henry Award and the Guggenheim Fellowship, recognizing her literary achievements. Her work delves into themes of displacement, memory, and the complexities of human relationships. She remained in Paris until her death on February 18, 2014, leaving a legacy as one of the 20th century's finest short-story writers.