431day.year

Paulinus of Nola

(354 - 431)

Christian bishop and poet

Christian bishop and poet
Christian bishop and Latin poet known for his influential letters and hymns.
Paulinus of Nola was an early Christian bishop celebrated for his devotional poetry and letters. Born in 354 in Bordeaux, he converted to Christianity after a legal career. He founded a monastic community in Nola and became its first bishop. His sermons and hymns greatly influenced Western liturgical traditions. Paulinus maintained correspondence with Augustine of Hippo and other Church fathers.
431 Paulinus of Nola
1664day.year

Katherine Philips

(1631 - 1664)

Anglo-Welsh poet

Anglo-Welsh poet
Katherine Philips was an Anglo-Welsh poet and translator, celebrated under the pen name 'Orinda' for her elegant verse.
Born Katherine Fowler in 1631 in Wales. Married James Philips and adopted the pen name Orinda for her literary pursuits. Known for refined translations of French love elegies and original poetry exploring love and friendship. Member of a private literary circle that promoted female authorship and intellectual exchange. Her works were widely circulated in manuscript before posthumous publication. Died of smallpox on June 22, 1664, cutting short a promising literary career. Regarded as one of the first English women to gain lasting recognition for her poetry.
1664 Katherine Philips
1714day.year

Matthew Henry

(1662 - 1714)

Welsh minister and author

Welsh minister and author
Matthew Henry was a Welsh Presbyterian minister and author best known for his comprehensive Bible commentary.
Born in 1662 in Flintshire, Wales. Educated at Chester Grammar School and briefly at Oxford University before embracing nonconformist ministry. Served as a Presbyterian minister in Chester and founded a dissenting academy to train future clergy. Authored the six-volume 'Exposition of the Old and New Testaments', a landmark biblical commentary. Combined thorough scholarship with practical devotion, making his work accessible to lay readers. His writings influenced generations of evangelical preachers and laypeople. Died on June 22, 1714, his legacy enduring in Protestant theological study.
1714 Matthew Henry
1913day.year

Ștefan Octavian Iosif

(1875 - 1913)

Romanian poet and translator

Romanian poet and translator
Romanian poet and translator known for his lyrical verse and contributions to modern Romanian literature.
Born in 1875 in Brașov, Ștefan Octavian Iosif emerged as a leading voice in Romanian poetry. His lyrical collections combined romantic imagery with themes of love, nature, and national identity. Iosif also translated key works of European literature, enriching Romania's literary landscape. He contributed to influential literary journals, collaborating with contemporary writers to promote modern poetry. His emotive style and cultural advocacy helped define early 20th-century Romanian letters. He died on June 22, 1913, leaving a legacy as one of Romania's cherished poets.
1913 Ștefan Octavian Iosif
1938day.year

C. J. Dennis

(1876 - 1938)

Australian poet and author

Australian poet and author
Australian poet and author known for his humorous verse depicting rural life.
Clarence Michael James 'C. J.' Dennis was born in 1876 in Auburn, Melbourne. He captured the Australian vernacular in his bestselling verse 'The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke'. His works blended humor and pathos, endearing him to readers nationwide. He contributed to newspapers and co-founded the Australian Authors’ Society. His verse influenced popular perceptions of Australian identity. He died in 1938, leaving a legacy in Australian literature.
1938 C. J. Dennis
1956day.year

Walter de la Mare

(1873 - 1956)

English poet, short story writer and novelist

English poet short story writer and novelist
English poet, short story writer, and novelist known for his evocative style.
Walter de la Mare was born in 1873 in Charlton, Kent, England. He published his first poetry collection, 'Songs of Childhood,' in 1902. His works often explored supernatural themes and the imagination. He wrote acclaimed novels and short stories for both adults and children. He served as Literary Editor for the Daily Chronicle, influencing early 20th-century letters. He died in 1956, remembered for his lyrical and haunting prose.
1956 Walter de la Mare
1964day.year

Havank

(1904 - 1964)

Dutch journalist and author

Dutch journalist and author
Dutch journalist and author famous for his popular detective novels.
Havank was born in 1904 in the Netherlands. He began his career as a journalist before turning to crime fiction. He created the character Piet de Rechter, a detective-lawyer featured in over 30 novels. His tightly plotted mysteries and legal insights captivated readers. He also wrote radio scripts strengthening his popularity. He died in 1964, leaving a legacy in Dutch detective literature.
1964 Havank
1965day.year

David O. Selznick

(1902 - 1965)

American screenwriter and producer

American screenwriter and producer
American film producer and screenwriter best known for producing the classic Gone with the Wind.
David O. Selznick was one of Hollywood's most influential producers in the studio era. Born in Pennsylvania in 1902, he rose through the ranks at MGM before establishing Selznick International Pictures in 1935. His crowning achievement was the epic Gone with the Wind (1939), which won ten Academy Awards. He also produced Hitchcock classics such as Rebecca (1940) and Spellbound (1945). Known for his meticulous attention to detail and grand vision, he shaped the Golden Age of Hollywood. He later served as a board member at MGM and continued to mentor emerging talent.
1965 David O. Selznick
1977day.year

Jacqueline Audry

(1908 - 1977)

French director and screenwriter

French director and screenwriter
Pioneering French film director and screenwriter, one of the first women to helm major post-war productions.
Jacqueline Audry broke barriers in a male-dominated industry, directing her first feature in 1946. Born in 1908, she skillfully adapted literary works and feminist themes for the screen. Her films, such as Olivia (1951) and Les Malheurs de Sophie (1946), explored complex female characters and social issues. Audry wrote or co-wrote many of her scripts, ensuring her distinctive voice shone through. Over her three-decade career, she challenged conventions and inspired future generations of women filmmakers in France and beyond.
1977 Jacqueline Audry
1984day.year

Joseph Losey

(1909 - 1984)

American director, producer, and screenwriter

American director producer and screenwriter
American film director and screenwriter known for his psychological dramas and exile from Hollywood.
Joseph Losey began his career in theatre before transitioning to Hollywood filmmaking. Born in 1909, he earned acclaim for films like The Servant (1963) and Modesty Blaise (1966). After being blacklisted during the McCarthy era, Losey relocated to Europe, where he crafted intimate psychological dramas. His collaborations with writers such as Harold Pinter produced elegantly unsettling works. Losey's influence extended over several decades, and his films are celebrated for their nuanced performances and innovative direction.
1984 Joseph Losey
1995day.year

Leonid Derbenyov

(1931 - 1995)

Russian poet and songwriter

Russian poet and songwriter
Prolific Soviet poet and lyricist whose songs became enduring hits across the USSR.
Leonid Derbenyov wrote over 2,000 song lyrics, collaborating with leading Soviet composers and singers. His poetic style blended wit, emotion, and vivid imagery, capturing the spirit of his era. Many of his works, set to music by artists like Alla Pugacheva, topped the charts and remain beloved classics. Derbenyov received state honors for his contributions to Soviet culture. His legacy endures through the timeless quality of his lyrical craft.
1995 Leonid Derbenyov
1995day.year

Al Hansen

(1927 - 1995)

American sculptor and author

American sculptor and author
Avant-garde American sculptor and author known for his pioneering role in the Fluxus art movement.
Al Hansen was a key figure in the 1960s Fluxus movement, experimenting with happenings and performance art. His sculptural collages and assemblages challenged traditional boundaries between art and life. Hansen also documented his experiences in writings and lectures, influencing younger generations of artists. He founded the Nova Broadcast Gallery and taught at the School of Visual Arts in New York. His interdisciplinary work remains influential in contemporary art circles.
Al Hansen