April 26

Born in 1860 in the Governorate of Estonia into a Baltic German noble family, Stenbock settled in England as a young man. Influenced by the Decadent movement, he produced poetry and short stories rich in gothic imagery and symbolism. His fascination with mysticism and the occult permeated much of his work. Despite his aristocratic background, he lived in relative financial hardship. His life was cut short at the age of 35 in 1895, and he gained posthumous recognition among aficionados of Gothic literature.

Born in 1832 in Kvikne, Norway, Bjørnson became a leading voice in the Norwegian National Romantic movement. He authored plays, novels, and poems celebrating rural life and national identity, including the lyrics that became Norway's national anthem. His diverse literary output ranged from satirical comedies to historical dramas. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1903 for his rich and varied poetic works. Bjørnson also engaged in politics, advocating for liberal reforms and Norway's independence from Sweden. He died in 1910, leaving a legacy as one of Norway's most revered national writers.

Born in 1858 in Pleasant Grove, Utah Territory, Udall married David King Udall and moved to Arizona as a plural wife. Her daily diaries recorded the hardships of frontier life, polygamous family dynamics, and the struggle under anti-polygamy laws. Udall's writings offer historians valuable first-person accounts of religion, family, and survival in a challenging environment. Though her diaries were unpublished during her lifetime, they have become important sources for Mormon and women's history. Her vivid reflections blend personal experience with broader social observations. She died in 1915, leaving behind a trove of writings that illuminate a pivotal era in American religious life.

Born in Lisbon in 1890, Sá-Carneiro became a key figure in the Portuguese Modernist movement. He co-founded the avant-garde magazine Orpheu in 1915 alongside Fernando Pessoa. His works, such as 'A Confissão de Lúcio', feature experimental narratives and introspective themes. Plagued by depression, his writing often reflects existential angst and emotional intensity. He died by suicide in 1916 at the age of 25, cementing his status as a tragic literary icon. Posthumously, his contributions have been celebrated as pioneering in 20th-century Portuguese literature.

Born in 1899 in Saint Petersburg, Vaginov became part of the Russian literary avant-garde after the Revolution. His early poetry collections blend Symbolist and Acmeist influences, emphasizing clarity and classical form. As a novelist, he explored themes of nostalgia, decay, and the spiritual life in works such as 'Prelude to a Life'. Vaginov also engaged in literary criticism, contributing essays on contemporary writers and movements. Despite censorship under Soviet rule, he continued to publish throughout the 1920s. He died in 1934, and his work has since been rediscovered by scholars for its stylistic innovation.

Born in 1882 in Newfoundland, Edward John Pratt earned acclaim as one of Canada's leading 20th-century poets. He taught at the University of Toronto and published works that combined vivid imagery with narrative storytelling. Pratt's major epics, including 'The Titanic' and 'Brébeuf and his Brethren,' examined human endurance and historical themes. He received three Governor General's Awards for his contributions to Canadian literature. He continued writing until his death in 1964, leaving a lasting impact on Canadian literature.

Erik Bergman (1886-1970) was a Swedish Lutheran minister celebrated for his engaging sermons and theological writings. He served congregations across Sweden, emphasizing faith's role in daily life and moral integrity. As an author, he published numerous books and articles on Christian doctrine, pastoral care, and spiritual reflection. His works were widely read by clergy and laypeople alike, contributing significantly to 20th-century Swedish religious thought. Known for his compassionate approach, he supported charitable initiatives and fostered interfaith dialogue. His legacy endures through his writings, which continue to inspire contemporary faith communities.

Armstrong Sperry (1897-1976) was an American writer and illustrator best known for his adventure novels for young readers. He won the 1941 Newbery Medal for 'Call It Courage,' a tale of bravery set in the South Pacific. Sperry's richly detailed illustrations complemented his vivid storytelling, bringing exotic locations and characters to life. A sailor and world traveler himself, he drew on personal experiences to create authentic and engaging narratives. His works, including 'Stormy, Misty, and Jellybean,' remain beloved for their sense of adventure and lyrical prose. Through his books and artwork, Sperry inspired generations of children to explore distant lands through literature.

A. B. Guthrie Jr. (1901-1991) was an American novelist and historian whose works vividly chronicled the frontier experience. Born in Iowa and raised in Montana, he drew on his knowledge of the western landscape to write novels like 'The Way West', which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1950. His other notable works include 'The Big Sky' and 'The Last Valley'. Guthrie’s writing style is characterized by expansive storytelling, deep character development, and an authentic sense of place. He also authored histories and essays exploring the cultural and environmental transformations of the West. His contributions helped define the genre of Western literature and influenced subsequent authors and filmmakers interested in the American frontier.

Stirling Silliphant was an American screenwriter and producer whose career spanned film and television. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for In the Heat of the Night in 1967. Silliphant wrote the screenplay for Birdman of Alcatraz, earning an Academy Award nomination. He created and produced the long-running TV series Route 66, celebrated for its on-location storytelling. Known for his meticulous research and character-driven scripts, he influenced modern screenwriting. He worked with notable directors and actors throughout Hollywood’s golden era. His narrative innovations helped shape the crime and drama genres on both screen and television.

Yun Hyon-seok was a South Korean poet, essayist, and prominent voice in youth literature during the early 2000s. Born in 1984, he began publishing poetry as a teenager, exploring themes of identity, alienation, and social injustice. Yun’s writing resonated with many young readers, capturing the challenges of adolescence in modern Korean society. He was also an outspoken blogger, advocating for human rights, freedom of expression, and LGBT issues. Despite his literary promise, Yun’s life was cut tragically short when he died by suicide at age 19. His posthumously published collections have inspired discussions on mental health and societal pressure in Korea. Yun Hyon-seok is remembered for his emotional honesty and courage to address taboo topics in his work.

Hubert Selby Jr. was an American writer whose unflinching portrayals of urban decay and human suffering earned both acclaim and controversy. Born in 1928, he overcame tuberculosis and personal hardships to write novels that challenged literary norms. His debut novel Last Exit to Brooklyn (1964) was subject to obscenity trials but later hailed as a masterpiece of American literature. Selby’s work often explored addiction, poverty, and violence with poetic language and nonlinear narrative. He also wrote The Room and contributed to screenplays, including the cult classic Requiem for a Dream. Known for his distinctive voice, Selby influenced generations of writers and filmmakers with his gritty realism. He remains celebrated for his courage in tackling difficult subjects and his innovative storytelling techniques.