July 21

Matthew Prior was born in 1664 and became known as a poet celebrated for his witty and elegant verse. He wrote notable works such as 'Alma' and political satires that were admired by Queen Anne. Alongside his literary career, Prior served as a diplomat and was appointed British envoy to France in 1707. He played a role in negotiating the Treaty of Utrecht that ended the War of the Spanish Succession. Despite political shifts, he continued to publish poetry and essays on contemporary events. Prior died in 1721, leaving behind a legacy of refined versification and contributions to early 18th-century diplomacy.

Born in the Kharkiv region, Burliuk studied art in Kyiv and Odesa before moving to Moscow. He co-founded the Russian Futurist movement and published satirical poetry in avant-garde journals. His illustrations blended Cubist and Futurist elements, influencing artists across Europe. In 1922, he emigrated to the United States, where he taught, exhibited, and wrote memoirs. His charismatic personality and literary flair made him a vibrant figure in New York’s art scene. Burliuk’s work bridged Eastern European modernism with emerging American avant-garde.

Born in Ixelles near Brussels, Feyder began his career as a stage actor before moving into film. He co-directed and wrote screenplays for silent classics like "Crainquebille" and "The Kiss." Feyder’s films are noted for their realistic sets, fluid camera movement, and humanist themes. He worked in Hollywood briefly in the 1920s before returning to France to direct acclaimed talkies. His influence extends to directors like Jean Renoir for his blend of poetic realism and technical innovation. Feyder’s legacy endures in film history as a pioneer of narrative cinema artistry.

Born Rudolf Wilhelm Friedrich Ditzen in 1893, Hans Fallada adopted his pen name while writing his first novel. He captured the social and economic turmoil of 1920s Germany in his breakthrough work Kleiner Mann – was nun? (Little Man, What Now?). His later novel Jeder stirbt für sich allein (Alone in Berlin) depicted resistance against the Nazi regime. Fallada struggled with personal demons including addiction and psychiatric hospitalization. Despite these challenges, his powerful storytelling cemented his reputation as one of the most significant German authors of the 20th century. He died in 1947, leaving behind a legacy of vivid and humanizing narratives.

Hart Crane was born in 1899 and emerged as a leading voice of American modernist poetry. His 1930 epic, The Bridge, sought to craft a uniquely American mythology centered on New York's Brooklyn Bridge. Crane's intensely personal and often experimental verse explored themes of identity, despair, and transcendence. He published acclaimed collections such as White Buildings (1926) and Voyage (1930), earning praise from contemporaries like Ezra Pound. Despite critical success, Crane struggled with depression and alcoholism throughout his life. He tragically took his own life in 1932, but his groundbreaking work continues to inspire poets and scholars.

Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, and served as an ambulance driver in World War I, experiences that informed his early novel A Farewell to Arms. He became famous for his spare, direct writing style in classics such as The Sun Also Rises, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea, which won the Pulitzer Prize. Hemingway's adventurous life included big-game hunting, deep-sea fishing, and serving as a war correspondent during World War II. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954 for his mastery of the art of narrative. Despite his global fame, Hemingway faced personal struggles and took his own life in 1961, leaving a profound literary legacy.

Born in Gujarat, Joshi became a leading voice in modern Gujarati poetry. He wrote essays, poems, and translations that bridged classical and contemporary themes. His work received both the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Jnanpith Award for literary excellence. Joshi's verse often addressed humanism, social justice, and spirituality. He held academic positions and advocated for education and cultural preservation. His influence continues to shape modern Gujarati poetry and cultural discourse.

Born into Germany's Romani minority in 1922, Philomena Franz experienced persecution and survived forced labor in Nazi Germany. After the war, she became a dedicated educator and author, focusing on the history and culture of the Sinti and Roma. Her memoirs provide a rare firsthand account of Roma persecution during the Holocaust and have been praised for their honesty and depth. Franz worked tirelessly to combat anti-Romani prejudice through public lectures and school programs. She received several awards for her literary and humanitarian contributions, raising awareness of Roma issues across Europe. Franz's writings continue to influence scholarship and activism on Roma rights. She passed away in 2022, leaving a powerful legacy of memory and resilience.

Born in 1930 in Rawalpindi, Anand Bakshi moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in film music. He wrote lyrics for over 4,000 songs, collaborating with leading composers like R.D. Burman and Laxmikant–Pyarelal. His poetic yet accessible style captured a wide range of emotions, from romance to devotion. Bakshi won multiple Filmfare Awards and became India's most recorded lyricist. His songs remain staples of Hindi cinema, celebrated for their melody and heartfelt expression. He passed away in 2002, leaving a timeless legacy in Bollywood music.

John Gardner was an American novelist, essayist, and critic. He taught creative writing at institutions such as the University of Iowa. He gained acclaim for his novel Grendel, a retelling of the Beowulf legend from the monster's perspective. Gardner championed the concept of moral fiction in his critical work On Moral Fiction, arguing for literature's ethical purpose. His essays explored themes of literary criticism and the craft of writing. Over his career, he wrote more than thirty novels, short stories, and critical works. Gardner's influence endures through his students and his contributions to literary theory.

Jonathan Miller was an English actor, director, and writer. He rose to prominence as a member of the groundbreaking comedy revue Beyond the Fringe alongside Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, and Alan Bennett. Miller went on to direct celebrated opera and theater productions at venues like Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House. As a broadcaster, he presented documentaries on science and medicine, reflecting his background as a qualified physician. He authored essays and books on topics ranging from art history to neuroscience. Miller's intellectual curiosity and creative versatility left a lasting impact on British cultural life.

Born in Lagos in 1944, Emecheta moved to London in 1962, where she began writing to support her young family. Her debut novel, Second Class Citizen, draws on her own experiences of racism and sexism in Britain. Her most acclaimed work, The Joys of Motherhood, examines the challenges faced by women in traditional Nigerian societies. Emecheta lectured on African literature at several universities and received honorary doctorates for her contributions. She published more than a dozen novels, plays, and children's books during her career. Emecheta died in 2017, leaving a legacy as one of Africa’s most important literary voices.