September 15

François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) was a French aristocrat who served in the army during the Thirty Years’ War and took part in the Fronde uprisings. After retiring from military life, he became celebrated for his literary talent, publishing the first edition of his Maximes in 1665. These brief, pointed reflections on human nature and self-interest are considered masterpieces of psychological insight. La Rochefoucauld’s style influenced European literature, setting a standard for moralist writing. His works remain widely read and quoted for their enduring relevance and elegance.

Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage (1765–1805) is regarded as one of the greatest Portuguese lyric poets. His poetry blended classical influences with personal emotion and social critique. Bocage’s satirical verses often targeted moral hypocrisy and societal norms. He served in the navy and traveled to Macau, experiences that influenced his later writings. Despite conflicts with censors, his innovative style inspired the Romantic movement in Portugal. Bocage’s life was marked by financial hardship and exile, which deepened the poignancy of his verse. His works remain a cornerstone of Portuguese literature.

James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851) was a pioneering American novelist and historian. His Leatherstocking Tales, including 'The Last of the Mohicans,' portrayed frontier life and Native American characters. Cooper’s work helped define early American literature and national identity. He drew on experiences growing up near Lake Otsego and serving in the U.S. Navy. Cooper also wrote historical accounts of naval battles and travel narratives. His storytelling combined adventure with social commentary on democracy and human nature. Despite mixed critical reception during his lifetime, his novels remain classics of American literature.

James Gates Percival (1795–1856) was a multifaceted American poet and scientist. He began his career as a respected surgeon before turning to poetry and geology. Percival’s verse collections received acclaim for their emotional depth and classical style. As a geologist, he conducted surveys of New England, mapping geological formations. He served as the first state geologist of Connecticut and published influential reports. Percival balanced his artistic and scientific pursuits, contributing to the young nation’s cultural growth. His legacy lives on in both American literature and early geological studies.

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay (1876–1938) was one of Bengal's most beloved writers during the early 20th century. His novels and stories, such as "Devdas", "Parineeta", and "Palli Samaj", explored the struggles of women and the poor with deep empathy. Writing in simple yet evocative Bengali prose, he captured social customs and human emotions with clarity. His works were adapted into numerous films and continue to influence Bengali literature and cinema. Chattopadhyay's portrayals of love, sacrifice, and societal pressure resonate across generations. He remains a seminal figure in Indian literary history.

Yente Serdatzky (1877–1962) emigrated from Lithuania to New York, where she became a prominent Yiddish writer and dramatist. Her stories and plays, often centered on women's struggles, reflected the challenges of immigrant families adapting to urban America. Serdatzky's writing is noted for its emotional depth, realistic characters, and vivid portrayal of cultural tensions. She published in leading Yiddish periodicals and saw her works performed in the Jewish theater. Serdatzky contributed to the preservation and evolution of Yiddish literature in the diaspora. Her work offers a unique window into the immigrant experience and the role of women in early modern Jewish society.

Robert Benchley was an American humorist whose deadpan wit earned him a place among the celebrated members of the Algonquin Round Table. Born in 1889, he wrote humorous essays and columns for Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. Benchley was a founding contributor to The New Yorker and influenced generations of comedy writers. He also appeared in numerous short films and radio broadcasts, bringing his unique comic style to a wider audience. His work remains a cornerstone of American humor to this day.

Claude McKay was a pioneering Jamaican-American poet and novelist whose work gave voice to the African diaspora experience during the Harlem Renaissance. Born in 1889 in Jamaica, he moved to the United States to study and quickly became influential in literary circles. His poems, including the powerful 'If We Must Die', addressed themes of racial pride and resistance to injustice. McKay's novels, such as 'Home to Harlem', offered vivid portrayals of Black life in the 1920s. His writing inspired future generations of writers and activists before his passing in 1948.

Agatha Christie was a prolific English writer whose ingenious detective novels and plays made her the 'Queen of Crime'. Born in 1890, she authored over 60 detective novels and 150 short stories, introducing iconic characters such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Her play 'The Mousetrap' holds the record for the longest initial run of any play in history. Christie's intricate plots and surprise endings captivated readers worldwide and sold millions of copies. Her influence on the mystery genre endures, making her one of the best-selling authors of all time until her death in 1976.

Jan Jacob Slauerhoff (1898–1936) was a Dutch poet, novelist, and ship's doctor whose adventurous spirit infused his writing with exotic and melancholic imagery. His experiences in China and Southeast Asia inspired works such as the poetry collection Saturnus and the novel Het verboden rijk. Slauerhoff's writings frequently explore themes of wanderlust, longing, and alienation, drawing on influences from Baudelaire and Rimbaud. He broke conventional Dutch literary styles with his intense lyrical voice and narrative innovation. Despite his early death at 38, he left a lasting impact on modern Dutch literature and is celebrated for his profound poetic imagination.

Sheilah Graham Westbrook (1904–1988) was an English-American actress, gossip columnist, and memoirist best known for her romantic involvement with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Born Lily Shiel in London, she moved to Hollywood in the 1930s and became a celebrated gossip columnist, capturing the glamour and scandals of Tinseltown's Golden Age. Her best-selling memoir Beloved Infidel chronicles her life with Fitzgerald and was adapted into a film in 1959. Graham also authored novels and articles that provided candid insight into celebrity culture. Her unique position bridged literary circles and Hollywood, cementing her status as a chronicler of her era.

Gunnar Ekelöf emerged as one of Sweden’s foremost poets in the early 1930s with his debut collection 'Sent på jorden', which challenged traditional poetic forms. His work blended surreal imagery, existential themes, and personal symbolism, marking him as a pioneer of Swedish modernism. Over his career, he published acclaimed collections such as 'Dedikation' and 'Färjesång', earning the prestigious Bellman Prize in 1965. Ekelöf’s influence extended beyond poetry, as he was also an essayist and translator who brought international literature to Swedish readers. Renowned for his intellectual depth and lyrical innovation, his legacy endures in the ongoing study and celebration of his groundbreaking work.