August 25

Born around 1572, Thomas Dekker became one of London’s most prolific writers, producing plays, pamphlets, and poems. His works vividly depicted city life and common people, celebrated for their humor and social insight. Dekker collaborated with contemporaries like Ben Jonson and William Shakespeare on theatrical productions. Despite his success, he faced financial struggles and imprisonment for debt later in life. He died in 1632, leaving a lasting imprint on English Renaissance literature.

Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803–1882) was an Estonian physician and author who graduated in medicine from the University of Dorpat and served as a rural doctor. Passionate about national culture, he collected Estonian folk songs and tales throughout his life. His epic poem Kalevipoeg, published in parts between 1857 and 1861, became the cornerstone of Estonian national literature. Kreutzwald played a central role in the Estonian National Awakening by promoting vernacular language and folklore. He is widely revered as the father of Estonian literature and a pioneer in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

Mary Tappan Wright (1851–1916) was an American author celebrated for her novels and short stories that explored social dynamics in academic and small-town settings. Daughter of Princeton University professor John Wright, she was deeply familiar with collegiate life and often set her narratives in similar environments. Her works appeared in leading magazines of the era, including The Atlantic Monthly and Harper’s Magazine. Wright’s writing combined keen psychological insight with subtle social critique, examining themes of gender roles, morality, and community. She published several novels and numerous stories collected into volumes such as The Test and The Africander. Wright’s contributions enriched American literature at the turn of the 20th century and influenced later writers of regional fiction.

Nikolay Gumilyov (1886–1921) was a prominent Russian poet, critic, and literary scholar who helped establish the Acmeist school of poetry in the early 20th century. Educated at the University of Tsarskoye Selo, he traveled extensively in Africa, experiences that influenced his early verse. Gumilyov published his first collection of poems, The Tent, in 1914 to critical acclaim and was lauded for his precise language and vivid imagery. Alongside fellow poets such as Anna Akhmatova, he founded the Guild of Poets, promoting clarity and craftsmanship in contrast to Symbolism. After serving as an artillery officer in World War I, he returned to literary life but faced political suspicion in post-revolutionary Russia. In 1921, Gumilyov was arrested on charges of conspiracy against the Bolsheviks and executed, becoming a martyr for artistic freedom and leaving a lasting legacy in Russian literature.

Velma Caldwell Melville (1858–1924) was an American editor, writer of prose, and poet whose work appeared in magazines and newspapers across the United States. She began her career as an editor for local journals before publishing essays, short stories, and poems in national publications. Melville's writing often explored themes of domestic life, nature, and the emerging role of women in society. She was recognized for her clear style, emotional depth, and ability to capture everyday experiences with poetic insight. In addition to her editorial work, she released a volume of poetry that garnered praise for its sincerity and lyrical quality. Melville's contributions helped shape the landscape of American literature during a period of significant cultural change.

Dorothea Fairbridge (1862–1931) was a South African novelist, historian, and conservationist. She co-founded the Guild of Loyal Women in 1902 to commemorate South African soldiers of the Boer War. Her works include romance novels and detailed studies of the Cape's flora and history. Fairbridge also campaigned for the preservation of historical buildings and natural landscapes. Her legacy lives on through her writings and contributions to South African cultural heritage.

Juliette Adam (1836–1936) was a French writer, editor, and prominent salon hostess. Founder of the review La Nouvelle Revue, she provided a platform for literary and political debate. Adam championed women's rights and published works on history and politics. Her salons attracted leading intellectuals and politicians of the French Third Republic. She is remembered for her influence on French literature and feminist thought.

Born Shu Qingchun in 1899 in Beijing, he studied in London and later returned to China to teach English and literature. Writing under the pen name Lao She, he published acclaimed works such as the novel 'Rickshaw Boy' and the play 'Teahouse'. His stories captured the struggles of ordinary people during tumultuous periods in Chinese history, including the Sino-Japanese War and the rise of Communism. Faced persecution during the Cultural Revolution, he tragically took his own life in 1966. Lao She's literary contributions remain foundational in modern Chinese literature and theater.

Eyvind Johnson was born in 1900 in southern Sweden and grew up in a working-class family. Self-educated and deeply influenced by modernist currents, he published his first novel in 1924 and gained acclaim for his experimental narrative style. His major works include the Roman trilogy and Return to Ithaca, blending realism with mythic themes. Johnson’s novels often explore the human condition, social injustice, and memory. In 1974, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his narrative art, becoming one of Sweden’s most celebrated writers. He remained active in public debates about politics and culture until his death.

Truman Capote was born in 1924 in New Orleans and showed literary talent from a young age. His debut novel Other Voices, Other Rooms was published when he was just 23, announcing his arrival as a literary star. He achieved widespread fame with Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958), a novella that captured the elegance and melancholy of New York City society. Capote’s groundbreaking nonfiction novel In Cold Blood (1966) blended journalistic investigation with novelistic style, creating a new genre in American literature. A charismatic figure in New York’s artistic circles, he was known for his sharp wit, elaborate social gatherings, and complex personal life. Despite struggles with addiction, his influence on modern writing remains profound.

Morley Callaghan (1903-1990) was one of Canada’s most celebrated writers of the 20th century. He wrote plays, novels, and short stories characterized by their simplicity and emotional resonance. Callaghan was a close friend of Ernest Hemingway, and their friendship influenced both writers’ works. His notable novels include Strange Fugitive and They Shall Inherit the Earth. Callaghan’s plays were produced on Broadway and in Canadian theatres. He received numerous accolades for his literary contributions and played a key role in defining Canadian literature.