June 22

Born in 1427, Lucrezia Tornabuoni belonged to a powerful Florentine banking family. She married Piero di Cosimo de' Medici and became the mother of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Lucrezia wrote poetry, devotional works, and correspondence that provide insight into Renaissance Florentine culture. She played an influential role in political alliances and patronage of the arts. Her charitable initiatives helped the poor and strengthened Medici influence. She died in 1482, leaving a literary and social legacy in Florence.

John Taylor was an 18th-century English author and scholar renowned for his erudition. He wrote extensively on classical literature and produced critical editions that were highly regarded by his contemporaries. Taylor's scholarly works helped to shape the study of ancient texts in Britain. He was a member of literary circles in London and corresponded with leading intellectuals of his day. His dedication to scholarship left a lasting impact on the field of humanities in the mid-1700s.

Jacques Delille was a leading poet in late 18th-century France, acclaimed for his vivid descriptions of gardens and pastoral scenes. His most famous work 'Les Jardins' celebrated the beauty of nature and earned widespread admiration. Delille also translated classical Latin poems into French, bringing Virgil's Georgics to a new audience. His elegant style influenced the poets of the Enlightenment and early Romantic movements. Delille served as a member of the French Academy and helped shape French literary taste before and after the Revolution.

Haggard's tales popularized the 'Lost World' genre in Victorian literature. Born in Norfolk, he drew inspiration from his experiences in South Africa. His vivid storytelling combined exotic settings with elements of fantasy and adventure. Works like "King Solomon's Mines" and "She" captivated readers worldwide. Many of his novels have been adapted into films, stage plays, and television productions. Haggard's influence endures in modern adventure and fantasy literature.

Erich Maria Remarque was born in 1898 in Osnabrück and drafted into the German Army in WWI. Wounded on the Western Front, he experienced the horrors that inspired his writing. His 1929 novel 'All Quiet on the Western Front' became an international bestseller and won critical acclaim. After the Nazis banned his work, Remarque emigrated to Switzerland and later to the United States. He continued writing novels, such as 'The Road Back' and 'Three Comrades,' exploring war and exile. Remarque's honest portrayal of soldier’s experiences cemented his legacy in anti-war literature.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001) was an American aviator, author, and wife of famed pilot Charles Lindbergh. She earned her pilot’s license in 1928 and joined her husband on record-setting flights, becoming one of the first licensed female passengers on solo Atlantic crossings. Lindbergh’s memoir 'Gift from the Sea' became a bestseller, offering profound meditations on life, love, and solitude. Her writings and lectures on aviation and literature inspired a generation of women. Throughout her life, she balanced her passion for flight with a prolific literary career, leaving a lasting impact on both fields.

Billy Wilder (1906–2002) was an Austrian-born American filmmaker whose career spanned six decades. He co-wrote and directed classics such as 'Double Indemnity,' 'Sunset Boulevard,' and 'Some Like It Hot,' showcasing his sharp wit and storytelling mastery. Wilder’s films combined satire, drama, and romance, earning him multiple Academy Awards for writing and directing. He collaborated with top actors and screenwriters, shaping the golden age of Hollywood cinema. Wilder’s influence extends to modern filmmakers, and his work continues to be studied for its craft and innovation.

Eriks Ādamsons was a prominent Latvian writer, poet and novelist whose lyrical works helped shape interwar Latvian literature. He published several volumes of poetry and short stories that explored themes of nature, love, and national identity. His unique blend of symbolism and realism captured the cultural spirit of Latvia in the early 20th century. Despite a career cut short by his untimely death in 1946, his writings remain celebrated in Latvian schools and literary circles. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of poetic language and cultural reflection.

Born in Szombathely, Sándor Weöres published his first poetry at age nineteen and went on to become one of Hungary's most influential voices. His surreal and melodic works, including collections like Psyché and The Doorstep, meld folklore with modernist sensibilities. A gifted translator, Weöres introduced Hungarian readers to Shakespeare, Molière, and many others. He also created whimsical poems for children that remain beloved classics. Awarded the Kossuth Prize, his legacy endures in Hungary's literary canon. He died in 1989.

Born in Hubei province, Mei Zhi became a prominent figure in 20th-century Chinese letters, renowned for her sensitive essays on family, culture, and personal memory. Educated at Peking University, she began publishing in the 1930s and continued writing despite political upheaval. Her works, such as Heart Light and Salt of Childhood, blend lyrical narrative with insightful social commentary. She also penned stories that captured the imagination of young readers. After the Cultural Revolution, she resumed her literary career, earning accolades for her reflective style. Mei Zhi passed away in 2004.

Born in New York, Thomas Quinn Curtiss moved to Paris in the 1930s and became a distinguished correspondent for The New York Herald Tribune. His sharp, elegant reviews of film festivals and stage productions made him a respected voice in transatlantic culture. Curtiss authored biographies, including a noted study of Greta Garbo, and published memoirs recounting his encounters with literary and cinematic figures. He remained an active critic well into the late 20th century, influencing international perceptions of art and performance. Curtiss died in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of polished criticism and cultural reportage.

Born in Zagreb in 1921, Radovan Ivšić became a leading figure of the European Surrealist movement. His provocative plays, such as 'King Gordogan,' challenged political repression and faced censorship by the ruling regime. Ivšić’s poetry blended dream imagery with biting social critique, influencing postwar literature in Yugoslavia. Despite bans on his work, he continued to publish underground and collaborate with international artists. He remained a vocal advocate for artistic freedom until his death in 2009.