July 03

Born in 1530, Claude Fauchet was a magistrate and antiquary who collected oral traditions, legends, and medieval manuscripts. His works, including the Recueil de traditions populaires, traced the origins of French literature and language. Fauchet’s research challenged classical authorities by valuing vernacular culture and linguistic heritage. Executed in 1601, his contributions laid groundwork for the fields of philology and folklore studies in Europe.

Born in 1683, Edward Young was educated at Oxford before entering the clergy. He authored plays like The Revenge and produced influential critical essays. His magnum opus, Night-Thoughts (1742–1745), explores themes of mortality, faith, and friendship in a lyrical and philosophical style. Admired by later Romantic poets, Young’s work left an enduring mark on English literature’s contemplation of the human condition.

Ahmed Vefik Pasha (1823-1891) was a prominent Greek-Ottoman statesman, diplomat, and cultural innovator. He held high offices including Grand Vizier and served as ambassador to several European capitals. Passionate about drama, he translated and adapted French plays into Turkish, founding the Ottoman Theatre Company. He authored original works and compiled one of the first Turkish-French dictionaries to enhance linguistic exchange. During the Tanzimat reform era, he championed modernization in government, law, and education. Vefik Pasha’s efforts bridged Eastern and Western cultures and cemented his legacy in Turkish diplomacy and the arts.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Gilman was a leading figure in the late 19th-century feminist movement. She wrote prolifically on issues of women’s independence, labor reforms, and social welfare reforms. Her 1892 short story 'The Yellow Wallpaper' remains a staple of feminist literature. She also authored the utopian novel 'Herland', exploring an all-female society. As a lecturer and reformer, she advocated for communal living and progressive education. Gilman’s work challenged Victorian norms and influenced later generations of scholars and activists.

Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Davies spent much of his youth as a tramp across North America. His experiences informed his first book, 'The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp', celebrated for its candid voice. Returning to Wales, he became a beloved literary figure, writing reflective poems on nature, hardship, and humanity. His straightforward style and empathy for the downtrodden resonated with Edwardian readers. Davies's work paved the way for 20th-century modernist poetry in Britain. He remains admired for capturing the beauty and struggle of everyday life.

Franz Kafka was born in Prague in 1883 to a middle-class Jewish family and wrote primarily in German. His works, marked by surreal scenarios and themes of alienation, include the novella 'The Metamorphosis' and the unfinished novels 'The Trial' and 'The Castle'. Kafka's writing was largely unpublished during his lifetime, and he instructed his friend Max Brod to destroy his manuscripts upon his death. Against his wishes, Brod edited and published Kafka's major works posthumously, securing his reputation as a literary pioneer. Kafka's style and themes have had a profound influence on modern literature, contributing terms like 'Kafkaesque' to the lexicon. He died in 1924 at the age of 40 from tuberculosis. His legacy endures through the exploration of bureaucracy, existential dread, and the human condition in his writings.

Ramón Gómez de la Serna was born in Madrid in 1888 and became a leading figure in Spain's literary avant-garde. He pioneered the literary form known as 'greguería', a concise and witty genre blending metaphor and humor. Gómez de la Serna authored novels, plays, essays, and collaborated with artists across Europe, influencing modernist movements. His experimental works challenged literary conventions and embraced surrealism and absurdity. During the Spanish Civil War, he lived in exile in Argentina, where he continued to write and lecture. His writings left a lasting imprint on Spanish literature, inspiring generations of writers and playwrights. He returned to Spain late in life and passed away in 1963.

Born in Rome in 1900, Alessandro Blasetti began his career as a screenwriter before moving into directing. He played a key role in revitalizing Italian filmmaking in the 1930s with his naturalistic style and attention to social themes. Over five decades, he directed classics such as The Old Guard (1934) and Dinner at Midnight (1933). His innovation in sound cinema and narrative technique influenced the neorealist movement after World War II. Blasetti also served as a mentor to emerging Italian filmmakers. He remained active in film until the 1980s, leaving a lasting legacy upon his death in 1987.

Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher began her writing career with Studies in French Cuisine (1937) and went on to produce classics like The Gastronomical Me (1943). Her work blended memoir, travel, and cooking, elevating food writing to an art form. Fisher’s vivid storytelling and reflections on the sensory pleasures of dining influenced generations of food writers. She served as a consultant for the U.S. government’s food programs during World War II and taught at various universities. Her fearless exploration of taste and memory left an enduring mark on American literature before she died in 1992.

Dorothy Kilgallen rose to fame as a columnist for the New York Journal-American, where her column 'Voice of Broadway' attracted millions of readers with celebrity gossip and insider scoops. In the early 1950s, she became one of the first women to host a national television game show, co-moderating 'What's My Line?' for over a decade. Kilgallen also pursued acting, appearing in several Hollywood films in the 1940s, and authored true crime books that showcased her investigative skills. Known for her fearless reporting, she covered major events like the Lindbergh kidnapping trial and the Kennedy family drama. Her sudden death in 1965 sparked enduring conspiracy theories, adding to the mystique of her legacy.

Born in 1928, Evelyn Anthony published her first novel as a teenager and became one of Britain's most prolific thriller writers. Her works, characterized by intricate plots and strong heroines, captivated readers worldwide. Anthony's meticulous research and vivid storytelling set a high standard in the espionage genre. She supported literary charities and mentored aspiring authors, leaving a lasting impact on the literary community. Her career spanned decades, and she remained active in writing until her death in 2018.

Tom Stoppard was born Tomáš Straüssler in Zlín, Czechoslovakia, in 1937 and emigrated to England as a child. He gained fame with his landmark play "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," which blended existential inquiry with sharp humor. Over his career, Stoppard has penned numerous celebrated works including "Arcadia," "The Coast of Utopia," and the screenplay for "Shakespeare in Love," which won him an Academy Award. His writing is marked by linguistic dexterity, intellectual rigor, and a playful examination of history and science. Stoppard has been honored with multiple Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, and a knighthood for his contributions to literature and theater.