May 23

Jehan de Lescurel was an early 14th-century French trouvère whose surviving works exemplify the ars nova musical style. His compositions, often set to poetic texts, explore themes of love and chivalry. Although details of his life remain scarce, his music influenced later medieval composers. Lescurel’s oeuvre provides valuable insight into the secular culture of medieval France. His artistry bridges the worlds of poetry and music in a pivotal period of European art.

Born in 1828 in Skien, Ibsen became one of the most influential playwrights in theatre history. His plays, including 'A Doll's House' and 'Hedda Gabler,' challenged social norms and moral hypocrisy. Ibsen's writing style pioneered realism, focusing on personal conflicts and societal issues. He spent years in self-imposed exile in Italy and Germany, refining his dramatic craft. He died on May 23, 1906, in Christiania, leaving a profound impact on modern drama.

François Coppée was born in 1842 in Paris and became a leading voice of the Parnassian school of poetry. He published his first volume of verse in the mid-1860s, earning praise for his clarity and emotional depth. Coppée served as a Professor of Poetry at the Collège de France, shaping future generations of writers. In 1884, he was elected to the Académie Française in recognition of his literary achievements. Beyond poetry, he wrote plays and essays exploring social issues and human relationships. His works highlighted the lives of ordinary people, combining lyrical elegance with realism. Coppée's poetry remains studied for its technical refinement and heartfelt expression. He passed away in 1908, leaving a lasting mark on 19th-century literary culture.

Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz (1878–1947) was a Swiss author and poet renowned for his vivid depictions of Alpine life and landscapes. His works, including novels such as La Grande Peur dans la montagne and Derborence, explore human struggle against nature's forces. Writing in French, he became a leading figure in Swiss literature, blending lyrical prose with regional themes. Ramuz's storytelling influenced generations of writers and artists in Switzerland and beyond. He left a lasting legacy as a chronicler of his homeland's mountainous traditions.

Gustav Suits (1883–1956) was an Estonian poet, editor, and statesman, considered one of the founders of modern Estonian poetry. As a leading member of the literary group Siuru, he introduced Symbolist and Expressionist influences to Estonian verse. Suits also served in political roles during Estonia's early years of independence, advocating for cultural autonomy. After Soviet occupation, he lived in exile, continuing to write and preserve Estonian literary traditions abroad. His lyrical works and nationalistic themes left a lasting impact on Estonia's cultural heritage.

August Jakobson (1904–1963) was an Estonian writer, playwright, and politician influential during the Soviet era. Born in Tartu, he wrote novels and stage works that adhered to socialist realism and reflected Soviet themes. Jakobson served as Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR from 1947 to 1950, playing a key role in postwar governance. He authored works exploring collectivization, wartime experiences, and social change in Soviet Estonia. His literary and political careers left a complex legacy in Estonian cultural and historical discourse.

Rayner Heppenstall (1911–1981) was an English novelist, poet, and diarist whose works captured the complexities of modern life. His career began in the 1930s with novels that challenged traditional storytelling through innovation in form. He also published volumes of poetry that demonstrated his sharp observational voice. Heppenstall's extensive diaries, published posthumously, offer an intimate view of the British literary scene across decades. Admired for his fearless experimentation, he influenced future generations of writers seeking new narrative possibilities. His legacy endures through his contributions to modernist literature and candid personal accounts of creative circles.

Born on August 18, 1908, in Øystese, Norway, Olav Hauge balanced his life as an orchardist with his passion for poetry. Writing in Nynorsk, he crafted lucid, image-rich poems that reflect the rhythms of nature and the depth of human emotion. His renowned collections, including 'Glør i oska' (Embers in the Ashes) and 'Under Bergfallet', showcase his mastery of brevity and clarity. Hauge also translated works by poets like W.B. Yeats and Osip Mandelstam into Norwegian. He passed away on May 23, 1994, leaving a lasting legacy in modern Norwegian literature.

Born in 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, she gained fame alongside her husband Jerry Stiller. The duo Stiller and Meara became a television staple in the 1960s and 1970s. She wrote and starred in several stage plays and one-woman shows. Her versatility led to roles in Broadway, film, and television. She influenced a generation of comedians with her sharp wit and timing. Her legacy lives on through her work and her son, actor-director Ben Stiller. She passed away in 2015, celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to comedy.

Born in 1929 in Syracuse, New York, he later studied art in Germany. He developed a unique collage technique using hand-painted paper in vibrant colors. He published over 70 books, selling more than 150 million copies worldwide. Best known for the beloved classic "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (1969). His works have been translated into over 60 languages. He received numerous honors, including a place on the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award list. Eric Carle passed away in 2021, leaving a lasting legacy in children's literature and art.

Born in 1955, Caleb Carr achieved fame with his 1994 historical novel The Alienist, which pioneered a blend of historical fiction and psychological thriller. His portrayal of late 19th-century New York introduced readers to the origins of criminal profiling. Beyond fiction, Carr authored several non-fiction books examining military history, strategy, and geopolitics. His academic approach provided fresh perspectives on conflicts ranging from World War I to modern warfare. Carr lectured widely and contributed articles to prominent journals and magazines. His work continues to inspire both scholars and fans of historical drama.