May 26

Born in Frankfurt in 1799, August Kopisch trained as a painter at the Berlin Academy before embarking on travels through Italy. In 1826, he rediscovered the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri and introduced it to the wider European public. His poetry collections, including 'Gedichte', blend folklore, nature, and Romantic sensibility. As a painter, he produced luminous landscape and genre scenes that captured Mediterranean light. Kopisch also authored illustrated travelogues that combined his artistic and literary talents. His dual legacy in poetry and painting made him a key figure of German Romanticism until his death in 1853.

Born in Nancy in 1822, Edmond de Goncourt partnered with his brother Jules to produce pioneering naturalistic novels such as 'Germinie Lacerteux'. The Goncourt brothers maintained extensive diaries that chronicled the artistic and literary circles of the Second Empire. After Jules's death, Edmond continued their work, publishing the influential Goncourt Diaries which became essential historical sources. Through his will, he established the Académie Goncourt in 1900 to award an annual literary prize. The Prix Goncourt has since become France's highest literary honor. Edmond's blend of fiction, criticism, and scholarship shaped modern French letters until his death in 1896.

Born in Brooklyn in 1865, Robert W. Chambers studied art at the Académie Julian in Paris before turning to writing. In 1895, he published 'The King in Yellow', a collection of supernatural tales whose eerie motifs later inspired writers like H.P. Lovecraft. Chambers went on to write popular romances, mystery novels, and adventure stories, including 'The Tracer of Lost Persons', which was adapted into early film serials. He often illustrated his own books, blending visual artistry with narrative. A bestseller in the early 20th century, Chambers shaped the development of speculative fiction. He died in 1933 in New York, leaving a diverse literary and artistic legacy.

Karin Juel rose to fame in the 1920s with her expressive vocal performances and stage presence. She recorded numerous hit songs that resonated across Sweden and Europe. As an actress, she appeared in both theatrical productions and films, showcasing her versatility. Juel also authored several books, including memoirs and novels that provided insight into her artistic journey. Her career spanned several decades, and she became a beloved cultural icon. Even after retiring, her legacy endured through reissued recordings and literary studies.

Born in 1904 in Tatarstan, Tamurbek Dawletschin pursued a career in literature, writing poetry and short stories. During World War II, he was captured and spent years as a prisoner of war, an experience that deeply influenced his work. After his return, Dawletschin published memoirs and essays that depicted the harsh realities of war and life in captivity. His writings also celebrated Tatar culture and language at a time of political upheaval. He continued to write and publish until his death in 1983, leaving a body of work that offers unique insights into 20th-century history and identity.

Born in 1904 in Istanbul, Necip Fazıl Kısakürek showed early talent in poetry and prose. He became a leading literary figure known for his philosophical poems and powerful plays. In the 1940s, he founded the influential magazine 'Büyük Doğu,' which shaped intellectual debates on faith and politics. Kısakürek's writings often explored themes of spirituality, nationalism, and social justice. His bold style and uncompromising views made him a controversial yet pivotal voice in Turkish cultural life. Until his death in 1983, he authored dozens of books and continues to be studied in literary and academic circles.

Henry Ephron was born on May 26, 1911 in Providence, Rhode Island. He co-wrote successful Broadway shows in the 1940s before transitioning to Hollywood, where he penned screenplays for films such as 'There's No Business Like Show Business' and 'Captain Newman, M.D.'. As a producer, he helped bring a range of dramas and musicals to the screen. He was also patriarch of a creative family, fathering acclaimed writers Nora and Delia Ephron. His career spanned over four decades, leaving a legacy in both theater and cinema until his death in 1992.

Pierre Daninos was born on May 26, 1913 in Paris, France. He served in the French army during World War II before turning to writing. Daninos achieved international success with 'Les Carnets du Major Thompson', a series of humorous essays poking fun at Anglo-French cultural differences. He published numerous novels, essays, and plays characterized by wit and satire. His works were translated into many languages, earning him recognition across Europe. Daninos continued writing until his death in 2005, leaving a legacy as one of France's beloved humorists.

Antonia Forest was the pen name of Patricia Giulia Caulfield Kate Rubinstein, an English novelist renowned for her Marlow Family series. She published her first novel, Autumn Term, in 1948 and continued the series over more than four decades. Forest's works combine realistic character development with gentle humor and a vivid portrayal of 20th-century British school life. Besides the school stories, she wrote a variety of fiction, including historical romances and mystery novels. Her writing has remained popular with readers for its warmth, insight, and enduring charm.

Henriette Roosenburg was a Dutch journalist and member of the Dutch resistance during World War II. Arrested by the Nazis, she survived imprisonment in Scheveningen and labor camps in Germany. After her escape and return to the Netherlands, she wrote The Walls Came Tumbling Down, a vivid memoir of her wartime ordeal. Roosenburg later worked as a foreign correspondent, covering postwar Europe for Dutch newspapers. Her courageous story remains a powerful testimony to resilience and the human spirit.

Karim Emami (May 26, 1930 – February 2, 2005) was an Indian-Iranian lexicographer and literary critic. He co-founded the Typos Publishing House in Tehran and published critical essays on Persian poetry. Emami compiled influential bilingual dictionaries of Persian and English. He translated works by Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams into Persian. His scholarly contributions helped modernize Iranian literary studies.

Born on May 26, 1936, Natalya Gorbanevskaya was a prominent poet and activist. She participated in the 1968 Red Square demonstration against the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. Gorbanevskaya was subsequently arrested and exiled for her dissident activities. Her poetry captures the struggles and hopes of Soviet-era intellectuals. After emigrating to Poland, she continued to write, translate, and speak on human rights. Her work remains a powerful testament to the spirit of dissent and artistic expression.