March 22

Born in Frankfurt in 1749, Goethe became a central figure in the Sturm und Drang literary movement before shaping Weimar Classicism. His first major success was the novel 'The Sorrows of Young Werther', which sparked a literary craze across Europe. Goethe served as a privy councillor and diplomat at the court of Weimar, influencing cultural and political life. His masterpiece 'Faust' explores themes of ambition, desire, and redemption and remains one of the greatest works in world literature. Goethe also made scientific contributions in optics and plant morphology during his long and prolific career.

Born in 1838 near Grodno, Kalinowski studied law in Vilnius and became an influential writer and journalist. He founded and edited the Belarusian-language newspaper Mužyckaaja prauđa, promoting peasant rights and national consciousness. As a key leader in the January Uprising of 1863 against Russian rule, he organized military units and inspired fighters with his writings. Captured by imperial forces, Kalinowski was executed in 1864. He is remembered as a pioneering voice for Belarusian nationalism and social reform.

Born in 1822 in Uffington, Oxfordshire, Hughes studied at Oxford University and qualified as a lawyer. He championed social reforms including education for the working class and better prison conditions. Elected to Parliament as a Liberal MP, he advocated for public health and workers' rights. Hughes is best known for his 1857 novel 'Tom Brown's School Days', which highlighted the value of moral education in boarding schools. He continued to write, lecture, and campaign for social justice until his death in 1896.

Paul Engle was born in 1908 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and earned his degrees in English from the University of Iowa. He joined the University of Iowa faculty in 1941 and transformed the Writers' Workshop into a premier creative writing program, mentoring generations of celebrated authors. Engle published poetry, novels, and critical essays, reflecting his deep engagement with literary craft. He served as director of the Workshop until 1965, after which he worked for the U.S. State Department promoting cultural exchange programs. Engle co-founded the International Writing Program in Iowa City, fostering global literary collaboration. His leadership and vision helped establish creative writing as an academic discipline in the United States. Engle died in 1991, leaving a lasting legacy in literary education.

Born in 1917, he earned the nickname "El Pajarito" for his spirited vocal style. He composed and performed classic sones and guajiras throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Leyva featured prominently in the acclaimed 1997 album and documentary Buena Vista Social Club, which revived global interest in Cuban music. His rich baritone voice and timeless songs contributed to the ensemble's success. Over a career spanning six decades, he influenced generations of Latin American artists.

Born in 1937 in Austria, he later emigrated to Australia and wrote for leading newspapers. He authored novels and short stories that blended science fiction with political intrigue. His work appeared in prominent magazines and anthologies across the English-speaking world. Trojan explored themes of technology, ethics, and society with vivid imagination. He maintained a versatile career that bridged journalism and literary fiction until his death in 2006.

Neil L. Whitehead (1956–2012) was an English anthropologist and author specializing in Mesoamerican studies. He held academic positions at several universities and conducted extensive fieldwork in Latin America. Whitehead published several books on indigenous rituals and belief systems. He explored the intersections of culture, ecology, and power in his work. His writings expanded the understanding of indigenous belief systems and their modern contexts.

Yashwant Vithoba Chittal (1928–2014) was an Indian novelist and short story writer in the Kannada language. He explored themes of rural life, social change, and human psychology in his works. Chittal published several acclaimed novels and collections of short stories over his career. His writing style was noted for its realism and depth of character portrayal. He received recognition for his contributions to Kannada literature.

Arkady Arkanov was born in 1933 and built a versatile career in the performing arts. He captivated audiences with his stage and screen performances across Ukraine and Russia. As a playwright, he authored works that combined wit and cultural insight, earning recognition in Soviet and post-Soviet theater circles. His dual talents made him a celebrated figure in Russian-speaking communities. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 82.

Laurent de Brunhoff was born in 1925 and inherited the Babar legacy from his father, Jean de Brunhoff, in the 1960s. His charming illustrations and storytelling expanded the world of Babar, delighting children worldwide with new adventures of the elephant king. Over decades, he maintained the series' classic appeal while introducing fresh creativity. De Brunhoff's work has become a cornerstone of children's literature. He passed away in 2024 at the age of 99.