July 14

Richard Taverner (1505–14 July 1575) was an English translator and theologian of the Tudor era. Educated at Oxford, he produced one of the earliest English-language editions of the Bible in 1539, known as Taverner's Bible. His translation was praised for its clear and elegant prose, influencing later English biblical scholarship. Taverner served under Thomas Cromwell's reform commissions, contributing to religious and political debates of the time. Although his Bible was later eclipsed by other versions, it remains significant for its literary quality. He withdrew from public life during the reign of Mary I but returned under Elizabeth I. Taverner's work helped pave the way for the King James Version and the standardization of English religious texts.

Born into a prominent Swiss banking family in Geneva in 1766, Anne-Louise Germaine de Staël-Holstein became one of the leading literary figures of her time. Her salon in Paris drew intellectuals such as Benjamin Constant, Lord Byron, and Madame de Talleyrand, fostering debates on politics and philosophy. De Staël's works, including "On Germany" and "Delphine", introduced German Romanticism to France and defended individual liberty and constitutional government. Exiled by Napoleon for her outspoken critiques of his regime, she continued to write and publish influential essays on history and society. Her blend of personal memoir, political commentary, and literary criticism made her a model for the modern intellectual. She died on July 14, 1817, leaving a legacy as a pioneering female voice in European intellectual history.

Born in Bengal, Mukerji moved to the United States in 1906 to study at the University of California, Berkeley. He became a prominent author of children's books and novels that introduced Indian stories to American readers. His 1927 work Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon earned him the Newbery Medal in 1928, making literary history. Mukerji also wrote autobiographical works like Caste and Outcast, exploring identity and culture. He lectured widely as a scholar of Eastern religions and philosophy, bridging East and West through his writings.

Born in Madrid to a family of intellectuals, Benavente published his first play as a teenager. Over his career, he wrote more than 170 plays, often combining sharp social critique with comedic elements. His work, including The Bonds of Interest and The Editorialist, earned him international acclaim. In 1922, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his inspired dramatic compositions. Benavente's plays remain staples of the Spanish theatre repertoire, reflecting early 20th-century life with humor and insight.

Born Ion N. Theodorescu in Bucharest, Arghezi adopted his pen name and began publishing verse at a young age. His innovative use of language and metaphor in collections like Psalms and Exile reshaped Romanian poetry. He also wrote short stories, essays, and children's books, showcasing versatility across genres. Arghezi navigated political upheaval, facing censorship before receiving state honors under the communist regime. He left a lasting influence on Romanian letters, mentoring younger writers and championing literary modernism.

Born in Moscow in 1892, Paustovsky served in the Red Army during the Russian Civil War before pursuing writing full-time. His works, such as The Story of a Life and The Golden Rose, blend autobiographical elements with rich descriptions of landscapes. He was awarded the Stalin Prize for his novel Kaledin and other works depicting Soviet life. Paustovsky's travelogues across Crimea, Central Asia, and the Caucasus brought distant regions to life for his readers. His evocative style and humanistic themes secured his place among the leading Soviet writers of the 20th century.

Ernest Tidyman was an American novelist, journalist, and screenwriter born in 1928. He began his career as a newspaper reporter before turning to fiction, writing several acclaimed novels. Tidyman achieved international fame when he penned the screenplay for The French Connection, earning him an Academy Award in 1971. He also created the popular character John Shaft, authoring the original Shaft novel in 1970. Throughout his career, he contributed to both film and literature, leaving a lasting impact on crime storytelling.