May 12

Born in 1559, George Chapman emerged as a leading literary figure in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. He is best known for his vigorous translations of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, which shaped English appreciation of classical literature. Chapman also authored acclaimed plays such as Bussy D’Ambois and The Revenge of Bussy D’Ambois. His work often explored themes of honor, passion, and political intrigue, earning him both admiration and controversy. A contemporary of Shakespeare, his literary contributions left a lasting imprint on the evolution of English drama and poetry. Chapman passed away in 1634, his legacy preserved in his poetic and dramatic innovations.

John Dryden was born in 1631 and rose to prominence during the English Restoration as a preeminent literary figure. Appointed Poet Laureate in 1668, he penned satirical poems, essays, and heroic dramas that defined the age’s stylistic ideals. His works such as Absalom and Achitophel and Mac Flecknoe combined wit, political commentary, and vivid character studies. Dryden also produced influential literary criticism, advocating for neoclassical principles in poetry. A skilled translator, he rendered works by Virgil and Juvenal into English verse. He passed away in 1700, leaving an enduring impact on English letters and shaping the Augustan age of poetry.

Charles Simon Favart (1710–1792) was a French dramatist whose works helped define the opéra-comique genre. He authored and composed numerous light-hearted plays and musical pieces that resonated with audiences in Paris. Favart collaborated with leading theatres such as the Comédie-Italienne, blending witty dialogue with engaging melodies. His most famous works include 'La Chercheuse d'esprit' and 'Le Coq du village'. By integrating spoken dialogue with music, Favart influenced the development of French musical theatre. Favart's family continued his artistic legacy, with his wife and children also active in the performing arts. His innovations in theatrical composition left an enduring mark on European stagecraft.

Johann Uz (1720–1796) was a German poet celebrated for his lyrical poetry and fables. He emerged as a leading figure of the German Enlightenment, alongside contemporaries like Klopstock. Uz's works often explored themes of morality and human nature through concise and expressive verse. His collections, including 'Walther von der Vogelweide,' showcased his mastery of traditional poetic forms. Recognized by literary societies across Germany, Uz was praised for his clarity of language and emotional depth. He also held academic positions, nurturing the next generation of German writers. Uz's influence can be seen in the development of German Romanticism that followed.

János Batsányi (1763–1845) was a Hungarian poet and scholar prominent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He co-founded the literary society 'Értekezések a Magyar Tudományok Köréből', fostering the development of Hungarian letters. Batsányi's poems, such as 'Óda a hazához', celebrated national identity and inspired patriotic sentiment. As an academic, he lectured on language and literature, shaping the curriculum at the University of Bratislava. Facing political censorship for his pro-reform writings, Batsányi experienced exile and hardship. His dedication to Hungarian language and culture influenced the later Reform Era in Hungary. Today, he is remembered as a pioneer of Hungarian Romanticism and literary scholarship.

Sergey Aksakov (1791–1859) was a Russian writer and academic best known for his autobiographical tales of rural life. His works, including 'The Family Chronicle' and 'Notes on Fishing', combined vivid descriptions with introspective narrative. Aksakov's focus on nature, tradition, and daily customs laid groundwork for Russian Realism. He served as a professor of Russian literature at Kazan University, shaping future writers. Aksakov translated and edited classic works, promoting Russian literary heritage. His meticulous portrayal of provincial life influenced authors like Tolstoy and Turgenev. Aksakov's legacy endures in the canon of 19th-century Russian literature.

Minna Canth was a prominent Finnish journalist, playwright, and outspoken advocate for social reform in the late 19th century. She published Finland’s first newspaper founded by a woman and used her platform to address issues such as gender equality, workers’ rights, and temperance. Canth’s plays, including 'Anna-Liisa' and 'The Worker's Wife', were groundbreaking in their realistic portrayals of women’s struggles and societal injustices. Her bold voice inspired public debate and laid the groundwork for Finland’s progressive social policies. Canth balanced her writing career with active participation in charitable organizations for education and poverty relief. She remains celebrated in Finland, with International Women’s Day even referred to locally as 'Minna Canth Day' in her honor.

Joris-Karl Huysmans was a French writer known for his dramatic turn from Naturalism to the Decadent movement. His best-known novel, 'À rebours' (Against Nature), portrayed the artificial life of the aristocratic aesthete Des Esseintes and became a cornerstone of decadent literature. As a literary critic, Huysmans wrote incisive essays on art and literature, promoting authors such as Émile Zola before distancing himself from the Naturalist school. He later converted to Catholicism, and his religious works, like 'Là-bas', explored spiritual themes with intense realism. Huysmans’s stylistic innovation and thematic boldness influenced writers across Europe. He remains celebrated for his refined prose and for capturing the tensions of fin-de-siècle society.

Amy Lowell was an influential American poet and critic who played a central role in the Imagist movement of the early 20th century. Her collections, such as 'Sword Blades and Poppy Seed' and 'Men, Women and Ghosts', showcased concise, vivid imagery and free verse. Lowell actively promoted the work of fellow poets and edited anthologies, helping to shape modernist poetry in the English language. Known for her passionate personality and bohemian lifestyle, she lectured extensively and wrote numerous essays on poetry and art. In 1925, she posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize for her 'Collected Poems', cementing her reputation as a literary pioneer. Lowell’s advocacy and creative innovations left a lasting impact on American letters.

Born Frederick Faust in 1892, he began writing for pulp magazines. Under the pen name Max Brand, he penned hundreds of Westerns that defined the genre. He created memorable characters such as Dr. Kildare and the cowboy hero Destry. His works were widely adapted into films, radio dramas, and comic strips. Brand's prolific output and vivid storytelling left a lasting impact on American popular fiction.

Born in 1863 in Cornwall, Quiller-Couch was a professor at the University of Cambridge. He edited the acclaimed Oxford Book of English Verse, shaping poetic taste for generations. An accomplished novelist and short story writer, he published under the pen name Q. His critical lectures emphasized clarity and moral purpose in literature. His works and teachings deeply influenced early 20th-century English letters. He died in 1944, leaving a legacy as one of Britain's foremost literary scholars.

John Masefield was born in Ledbury, Herefordshire in 1878. He went to sea as a young man, an experience that inspired much of his poetry. His works, including the famous poem Sea-Fever, earned him wide acclaim. In 1930 he was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, a position he held for 37 years. He also wrote novels, children's stories, and plays, showcasing his versatility. Masefield's vivid imagery and maritime themes continue to influence poets and writers today.