English poet and author
English poet and author
Thomas Overbury was an English poet and courtier whose promising career ended in a notorious murder scandal at King James I’s court.
Born in 1581, Overbury became a favored courtier of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, and a close friend of King James I.
His literary works included satirical poems and essays that earned him respect as a man of letters.
Overbury opposed his friend’s secret marriage to Frances Howard, which led to a deadly feud.
In 1613, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London and poisoned, triggering a sensational trial that exposed court corruption.
His tragic death and posthumous publications cemented his reputation as a talented writer silenced by intrigue.
1613
Thomas Overbury
French author and playwright
French author and playwright
Edmé Boursault was a prolific French author and playwright whose comedies and dramas were celebrated in the late 17th century.
Born in 1638, Boursault gained fame for witty comedies that satirized aristocratic manners and rival literary figures.
He wrote for the Hôtel de Bourgogne and later for the Théâtre du Marais, collaborating with leading actors of his day.
His works included farces, tragedies, and poems, reflecting both humor and serious themes.
Boursault engaged in public literary debates, notably with Molière, showcasing his sharp intellect and pen.
He died in 1701, remembered as a versatile writer who enriched French theater.
1701
Edmé Boursault
English poet and diplomat
English poet and diplomat
English poet and diplomat who served as envoy to European courts.
Born in 1663, George Stepney was educated at Eton and Cambridge before entering the diplomatic service under King Charles II.
He served as English envoy to the courts of Brandenburg, Hamburg, and The Hague, negotiating key treaties and alliances.
An accomplished Latin and English poet, his occasional verse and translations earned praise among contemporaries.
His collected poems and epigrams were published posthumously, securing his reputation as a skilled writer and statesman.
Stepney's blend of literary talent and political acumen made him a notable figure of the late Stuart period.
1707
George Stepney
American novelist
American novelist
American novelist known for his autobiographical and emotionally charged prose.
Thomas Wolfe (1900–1938) was an American novelist celebrated for his expansively emotional writing style.
His debut novel, 'Look Homeward, Angel' (1929), drew on his Appalachian upbringing and received critical acclaim.
He followed with 'Of Time and the River' (1935), solidifying his reputation as a literary innovator.
Wolfe's sprawling narratives and introspective characters influenced 20th-century American literature.
Despite his relatively small body of work, his posthumous publications continued to shape modernist fiction.
Wolfe's untimely death at age 37 cut short a career that promised to redefine the American novel.
1938
Thomas Wolfe
American librarian and author
American librarian and author
American librarian and author, Pulitzer Prize winner for her biography of Henry David Thoreau.
Linnie Marsh Wolfe (1881–1945) was an American librarian, teacher, and biographer.
She worked at the University of Oregon library, fostering literary appreciation among students.
In 1941 she published 'The Story of a Lone Hand', a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Henry David Thoreau.
Her meticulous research and engaging narrative style brought new insights into Thoreau's life and philosophy.
Wolfe also wrote essays and articles on American literature and education.
Her contributions helped popularize environmental and transcendentalist themes in mid-20th-century America.
She died in Orange, California, leaving behind a legacy of scholarly and literary achievements.
Linnie Marsh Wolfe
Estonian author and playwright
Estonian author and playwright
Estonian author and playwright known for his satirical and socially conscious dramas.
Hugo Raudsepp (1883–1952) was an influential Estonian writer and dramatist.
He authored numerous plays that satirized social issues and captured interwar Estonian life.
His best-known works include 'Mikumärdi' and 'Vella tee', which remain staples of Estonian theatre.
Raudsepp also contributed as a journalist and critic, shaping literary discourse in Estonia.
He was arrested during Soviet occupation and spent years in labor camps, impacting his later writings.
Despite political persecution, his plays endured and continue to be celebrated for their wit and humanity.
Raudsepp's legacy lives on through performances and adaptations of his work.
1952
Hugo Raudsepp
Turkish poet and author
Turkish poet and author
Turkish poet and author celebrated for his lyrical verse and contributions to modern Turkish literature.
Baki Süha Ediboğlu was a prominent Turkish poet and author born in 1915. He emerged as a leading voice in mid-20th century Turkish literature. His poetry often explored themes of love, nature, and social change. Ediboğlu published numerous collections and essays throughout his career, contributing to major literary magazines. His style blended traditional Ottoman poetic forms with contemporary sensibilities. He was also active as a literary critic and mentor to younger writers. Ediboğlu's work continues to influence modern Turkish poets. He passed away in 1972, leaving a lasting legacy in Turkish letters.
Baki Süha Ediboğlu
English writer and composer
English writer and composer
English crime novelist and film composer best known for his witty Gervase Fen detective series.
Edmund Crispin was the pseudonym of Robert Bruce Montgomery, born in 1921, who hailed from England. He gained fame with his Oxford-based amateur detective Gervase Fen, introduced in the novel 'The Moving Toyshop.' Crispin's works are celebrated for their intricate plots, playful language, and metafictional humor. Beyond writing, he composed film scores under his real name for British cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. His dual talents in literature and music earned him a unique place in the cultural landscape. Crispin's mystery novels influenced later writers in the Golden Age tradition. He withdrew from publishing in the late 1960s but left a cult following. He passed away in 1978, remembered for his clever storytelling and melodic compositions.
Edmund Crispin
American novelist, poet, and literary critic
American novelist
poet
and literary critic
American author and critic, the first writer to win Pulitzer Prizes for both fiction and poetry.
Robert Penn Warren was an American novelist, poet, and literary critic celebrated for his profound explorations of morality and power.
A co-founder of the Southern Agrarians, he taught at Vanderbilt and later at various universities across the United States.
His novel 'All the King's Men' won the 1947 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and remains a cornerstone of political literature.
Warren received three additional Pulitzers for his poetry, including works like 'Promises' and 'Now and Then.'
His critical essays examined the depth of American literature, bridging scholarly analysis and creative writing.
Warren's diverse body of work secured his place among the most influential literary figures of the 20th century.
Robert Penn Warren
Australian actress and author
Australian actress and author
Australian stage and screen actress and acclaimed author known for her versatility and wit over a career spanning five decades.
Born in Sydney in 1932, June Salter rose to fame on Australian television and in theatre productions. Her memorable roles in sitcoms and dramas showcased her comedic talent and dramatic range. Beyond acting, Salter wrote a popular memoir and essays reflecting on her life in the arts. She received multiple awards for her contributions to Australian entertainment. Salter's warmth, humor, and storytelling endeared her to audiences and cemented her status as a national treasure.
2001
June Salter
American evangelist and author
American evangelist and author
American radio evangelist and author who brought charismatic preaching to millions through his syndicated broadcasts.
Son of Herbert W. Armstrong, Garner Ted Armstrong became a prominent voice in the Worldwide Church of God by the 1960s. He hosted 'The World Tomorrow' radio program, combining evangelism with biblical prophecy and current affairs. Armstrong authored several books on faith, prophecy, and Christian living. His dynamic style attracted a global audience, though internal church disputes led to a dramatic split. He later founded independent ministries and continued his broadcasting career. Armstrong's legacy endures in modern evangelical media and prophecy discussions.
2003
Garner Ted Armstrong
Canadian journalist and author
Canadian journalist and author
Esteemed Canadian journalist and author renowned for his incisive political commentary and investigative reporting.
Born in Toronto in 1931, Walter Stewart built a reputation at The Toronto Star and later as a columnist for Maclean's. His books on Canadian politics provided critical analysis and insider perspectives on the nation's leadership. Stewart won multiple national journalism awards for his investigative work. He was praised for his clear, engaging writing style and commitment to holding power to account. Beyond politics, Stewart wrote on social issues, shaping public discourse for decades. His legacy lives on through his influential articles and books.
Walter Stewart