April 14

William Whitehead was born in 1715 and educated at Eton and St John's College, Cambridge. Appointed Poet Laureate in 1757, he succeeded James Thomson and held the post until his death. Whitehead authored several tragedies, including "Creusa" and "The Roman Father", as well as elegant odes and pastorals. His refined poetic style reflected the tastes of the Augustan age. Despite facing criticism for his caution, he maintained royal favor and influenced contemporaries. He died in 1785, leaving a body of work appreciated for its classical clarity.

Anna Louisa Geertruida Bosboom-Toussaint was born in 1812 in Amsterdam and debuted with her first novel in 1842. She crafted richly detailed historical romances that captured the social nuances of the Dutch Golden Age. Her notable works, such as "De Graaf van Devonshire" and "De Twee Poorters van de Stad", combined meticulous research with engaging storytelling. Bosboom-Toussaint enjoyed widespread acclaim in Europe, influencing the genre of historical fiction. She died in 1886, leaving a legacy as one of the Netherlands' foremost 19th-century writers.

Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893–1930) was a leading figure in the Russian Futurist movement and a powerful voice of early Soviet culture. He burst onto the literary scene with bold, experimental poems like 'A Cloud in Trousers' (1915) that broke with traditional meter and language. Mayakovsky embraced the Bolshevik Revolution, producing agitprop posters, satirical sketches, and avant-garde stage works to further the new social order. His collaborations with artists such as Kazimir Malevich and Alexander Rodchenko fused text and visual design. Despite official acclaim, he struggled with censorship and financial instability, taking his own life in 1930. His legacy endures in Russian literature and graphic art.

Born in 1907 in Pennsylvania, Carson earned a master's degree in zoology from Johns Hopkins University. She worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, writing articles and radio scripts on conservation. In 1962, she published "Silent Spring", exposing the ecological dangers of pesticide use. Her compelling prose brought scientific concerns to the public and policymakers. Facing opposition from chemical companies, she stood firm in her advocacy for nature. Carson is celebrated as a pioneer of ecological awareness and environmental policy.

Born in Durango, Mexico in 1914, José Revueltas became deeply involved in leftist politics early in his life. He authored novels, essays, and screenplays that critically examined social injustice and the legacy of the Mexican Revolution. Revueltas faced imprisonment and exile due to his outspoken views, yet he continued writing and contributing to political discourse. He collaborated on influential Mexican films and founded cultural journals to advocate for reform. His work had a significant impact on Latin American literature and inspired future generations of writers and activists. Revueltas remains celebrated for blending creative storytelling with political commitment.

Born in Omegna in 1920, Gianni Rodari started his career as a journalist before devoting himself to children's literature. His acclaimed works, such as The Grammar of Fantasy and Cippì, blended creativity with social insight. In 1970, he received the Hans Christian Andersen Award, recognizing his global impact on children's storytelling. Rodari also served as a schoolteacher and edited the satirical magazine Il Pioniere. He advocated for imagination and critical thinking in education, influencing teaching methods worldwide. Rodari's legacy endures in the many languages into which his stories have been translated.

Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, feminist theorist, and novelist. Born in Paris in 1908, she studied at the Sorbonne and became one of the most prominent intellectuals of her time. Her landmark work 'The Second Sex' remains a foundational text in feminist philosophy. Alongside Jean-Paul Sartre, she developed existentialist ideas on freedom, responsibility, and ethics. De Beauvoir also wrote novels, essays, and memoirs exploring human relationships and identity. A tireless advocate for women's rights, she actively supported social and political causes throughout her life. Her influence extends across philosophy, literature, and gender studies, securing her place as a 20th-century icon.

Born in 1924 in Brampton, Ontario, June Callwood began her career as a newspaper columnist and magazine writer. She used her platform to advocate for social justice, founding organizations like Nellie’s and the Ontario Coalition for the Rights of the Unborn. Callwood authored several books on family and social issues, blending personal insight with investigative journalism. Her activism addressed homelessness, mental health, and children’s welfare, earning her national honours. She co-founded the fundraising initiative War Amps Child Amputee Program to support young amputees. Callwood passed away in 2007 at the age of 82, remembered as a tireless voice for the marginalized.

Maurice Druon gained international fame with his epic series 'Les Rois maudits,' which dramatizes the power struggles of medieval France. He served as France's Minister of Cultural Affairs from 1973 to 1974, promoting literature and the arts. Elected to the Académie Française in 1966, Druon was a notable figure in French intellectual life. Aside from historical fiction, he wrote poetry, plays, and non-fiction, demonstrating wide-ranging literary talents. His works have been adapted for television and stage, highlighting their enduring popularity. Druon's blend of meticulous research and engaging storytelling has influenced generations of historical novelists.

Born in Galați in 1924, Cassian emerged as a leading modernist poet in Romania. She wrote lyrical and experimental verse that blended personal and political themes. Cassian worked as a critic, editor, and radio producer, defending artistic freedom under difficult regimes. In 1985, she emigrated to the United States, where she continued to write and translate American poets into Romanian. Her bilingual body of work influenced writers across cultures and generations. She passed away in 2014, leaving a rich and diverse literary legacy.

Born Lou Trifon in 1948, Kilodney adopted his pen name and sold low-cost chapbooks on Toronto sidewalks. His satirical stories and essays covered subjects from urban life to personal relationships, winning an underground audience. He rejected mainstream publishing, engaging directly with readers through street workshops and guerrilla events. Kilodney also mentored aspiring writers via 'The Toronto Street Writers' initiative, sharing his DIY ethos. He died in 2014, remembered as a singular and influential figure in alternative literature.

Born in 1942, Klaus Bednarz began his career in journalism covering Eastern Europe during the Cold War era. He worked as a foreign correspondent and produced influential reports that shed light on political developments behind the Iron Curtain. Bednarz authored several books on European history and culture, combining rigorous research with engaging narrative. His television documentaries for German broadcasters reached wide audiences and earned him journalistic awards. He inspired future generations of reporters through his commitment to depth and context in storytelling until his death in 2015.