March 16

He produced influential historical works, including a history of the Netherlands, blending scholarly research with engaging narrative. As a poet and playwright, he wrote in both Dutch and Latin, exploring classical themes and humanist ideals. He served as bailiff of Muiden Castle, hosting the Muiderkring, a circle of writers and artists. His literary salons fostered collaboration among leading intellectuals, shaping the cultural life of the Dutch Republic. His works reflect the spirit of Renaissance humanism and remain studied for their artistry. He died in 1647, leaving a lasting impact on Dutch letters.

He wrote comedies, farces, and poems that portrayed urban life with humor and realism. His best-known play, 'The Spanish Brabanter', satirizes social manners and class divisions. Bredero's poetry collection 'Emblemata' combines moral lessons with striking imagery. He participated in literary circles in Amsterdam and collaborated with other writers of the Dutch Golden Age. His works captured the linguistic richness and diversity of his city. He died at the young age of 33 but left an enduring influence on Dutch drama and poetry.

Georg Neumark was a 17th-century German poet and composer of sacred hymns. He studied law and theology before dedicating himself to music. His most famous hymn, 'Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten,' remains part of the Protestant repertoire. Neumark served as a church musician in various German cities. His poetry and melodies combined lyrical expression with devotional depth. His works influenced later hymn writers and continue to be sung today.

René Le Bossu was a 17th-century French literary critic and scholar. His treatise on epic poetry analyzed the structure and moral purpose of the epic genre. Le Bossu's writings offered a systematic approach to classical texts and influenced European literary theory. He served in academic circles in Paris and corresponded with leading intellectuals of his time. His insights helped shape the standards of poetic criticism in the Enlightenment era.

Nicolas-Germain Léonard was one of the first writers from Guadeloupe to gain recognition in French literary circles. He published poetry and prose that reflected both Enlightenment ideals and his colonial background. Léonard’s works often explored themes of liberty, nature and personal expression. He is remembered for his contributions to early Caribbean literature and for bringing attention to the cultural complexities of the Antilles. His novel and poems were admired for their classical style and intellectual depth. Despite his relatively short life, his writings left a lasting imprint on francophone literature.

Johann Heinrich Meyer was a Swiss artist and writer influential in the Weimar Classicism movement. He studied painting and art history before becoming a close friend and correspondent of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Meyer served as director of the Weimar Princely Free Drawing School and wrote extensively on art theory and criticism. His essays combined practical artistic insights with literary elegance, shaping contemporary aesthetics. Meyer produced both landscapes and portrait works that reflected classical ideals. His multidisciplinary work bridged visual art and literature during a pivotal period in German cultural history.

Born in Charlbury, Oxfordshire in 1797, Watts began his career as a journalist and editor. He contributed to publications like Blackwood’s Magazine and later edited The Literary Magnet. Watts published several volumes of poetic sketches, with works such as Lays Sergeant Major gaining popularity during the Crimean War. His epigrams and satirical verses earned him a reputation as a sharp wit in literary circles. He also wrote essays and articles on contemporary politics and society. Watts’s blend of humor and social commentary left a lasting mark on Victorian literature.

Born in 1808 in England, King emigrated to the United States and joined the Latter-day Saint movement. She settled in Nauvoo and later migrated west as part of the Mormon pioneer community. King contributed poetry and prose to church publications, reflecting on faith and the challenges of pioneer life. Her works provided personal insight into the daily struggles and spiritual resolve of early settlers in Utah. She published collections that combined devotional themes with descriptions of the frontier landscape. King’s literary legacy offers a unique window into the experiences of women on the American western frontier.

Born in 1825 in northern Portugal, Camilo Castelo Branco overcame a difficult childhood to become one of Portugal's most prolific writers. Over his lifetime, he penned more than 260 works, including novels, plays, and essays. His masterpiece 'Amor de Perdição' (Love of Perdition) remains a classic of Portuguese literature, celebrated for its intense emotion and tragic romance. Castelo Branco's writing style blended Romantic passion with incisive social commentary, reflecting the tensions of his era. Afflicted by blindness and personal tragedies, he took his own life in 1890 but left an indelible mark on Lusophone letters. His legacy endures in countless adaptations and continued readership.

René François Armand Prudhomme, known by his pen name Sully Prudhomme, was born in Paris and became a leading figure of the Parnassian poetry movement. His collection 'Stances et Poèmes' showcased his mastery of form and reflective depth. In 1901, he was honored with the inaugural Nobel Prize in Literature for his 'lofty idealism and artistic perfection.' Beyond poetry, he wrote literary criticism and philosophical essays, contributing to France’s intellectual life. Prudhomme’s work influenced later poets and remains celebrated for its elegance and emotional insight. He passed away in 1907.

Ethel Anderson was an Australian polymath known for her poetry, prose, and visual art. She organized art shows and poetry readings, fostering modernist culture in Sydney. Anderson's writing combined lyrical imagery with reflections on Australian life and landscapes. Her paintings and illustrations often accompanied her literary works, showcasing her artistic range. She championed emerging artists and writers, leaving a lasting impact on Australia's cultural scene.

Eric P. Kelly was an American journalist turned author, celebrated for children's literature. He won the 1929 Newbery Medal for 'The Trumpeter of Krakow,' a historical novel set in 16th-century Poland. Kelly's work combined meticulous research with engaging storytelling, popularizing historical fiction. During World War I, he served as a war correspondent, experiences that informed his writing. He later taught writing and journalism, influencing generations of students.