September 16

Anna Louisa Geertruida Bosboom-Toussaint was a leading Dutch novelist whose works gained popularity throughout the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. She wrote historical romances and social novels that blended detailed character studies with rich period settings. Her best-known novels, such as "A Romance of the Eighteenth Century" and "The Senator", explored themes of love, honor, and societal change. Bosboom-Toussaint's clear prose and engaging storytelling earned her acclaim from critics and readers alike. She was one of the first Dutch women to achieve national literary recognition in her own right. Her writings provide valuable insights into Dutch cultural and social life during her era.

Francis Parkman was an American historian whose vivid narrative style brought the struggles between European powers and Native Americans to life. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he studied at Harvard before embarking on extensive travels across North America to research his works. His major publications include France and England in North America, The Oregon Trail, and The Conspiracy of Pontiac. Parkman's writing combined meticulous scholarship with literary flair, influencing the development of historical writing in the 19th century. He overcame chronic health problems, including pulmonary tuberculosis, to complete his ambitious seven-volume history.

Anna Kingsford was born in London in 1846 and became one of the first Englishwomen to earn a medical degree, studying in Paris. A tireless advocate for animal welfare, she co-founded the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection and promoted vegetarian diets. Kingsford wrote extensively on spirituality, ethics, and health, blending mystical thought with scientific inquiry. She published poetry, lectures, and the book The Perfect Way in Diet, influencing early vegetarian and feminist movements. Despite suffering poor health, she traveled and lectured widely until her untimely death in 1888, leaving a lasting impact on social reform.

Alfred Noyes was born in Wolverhampton in 1880 and educated at Exeter College, Oxford. He achieved fame with the publication of “The Highwayman” in 1906, a dramatic ballad that remains popular to this day. Noyes wrote numerous volumes of poetry, plays, and essays, blending romantic themes with vivid storytelling. He also composed the long poem “The Barrel-Organ” and the lyrical cycle “The Torch-Bearers.” Noyes spent many years travelling and lecturing in the United States, where his readings drew large audiences. During both World Wars, he wrote patriotic poems that rallied public sentiment. His work, admired for its musicality and narrative drive, secured his place among early 20th-century British poets. Alfred Noyes died in 1958, leaving a rich literary legacy.

T. E. Hulme was born in 1883 in Staffordshire, England, and initially trained as a civil servant before turning to literature. He is often credited as one of the founders of the Imagist movement, advocating for concise, clear imagery in poetry. Hulme’s essays and poems, including “Autumn” and “A Lecture on Modern Poetry,” emphasized precision and economy of language. He introduced British writers to the works of Stéphane Mallarmé and other European symbolists. During World War I, Hulme enlisted in the British Army and served as an artillery officer on the Western Front. Tragically, he was killed in action at the Battle of the Somme in 1917. His writings had a profound influence on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and other modernist poets. Hulme’s legacy endures through the Imagist principles that reshaped early 20th-century poetry.

Frans Eemil Sillanpää was born in 1888 in Hämeenkyrö, Finland, into a farming family. He studied at the University of Helsinki and began his literary career with short stories published in local magazines. Sillanpää’s novels and novellas, such as “Meek Heritage” (1919), explore the lives of Finnish peasants and the natural world. His evocative prose combines realism with deep psychological insight, capturing the rhythms of rural existence. In 1939, he became the first Finnish writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognized for his rich storytelling and humanism. Throughout his life, Sillanpää advocated for social justice and cultural preservation in Finland. His works were translated into numerous languages, influencing Nordic literature for decades. Frans Eemil Sillanpää died in 1964, leaving a legacy as Finland’s most celebrated writer.

Avigdor Hameiri was born in 1890 in Kolomea, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He served in the Austro-Hungarian army during World War I and was taken prisoner, experiences he later recounted in his memoirs. After immigrating to British Mandatory Palestine in 1921, Hameiri became an influential journalist and writer. His book “Burnt Bride” and other works vividly portray the upheavals of war and the challenges of early Zionist settlement. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, he again served, documenting the conflict through essays and reportage. Hameiri’s writing blends personal narrative with broader reflections on identity, nationalism, and resilience. He edited newspapers and mentored younger Hebrew writers, shaping Israeli literary culture. Avigdor Hameiri died in 1970, remembered for his powerful voice and contributions to Hebrew literature.

Born in 1895, Zainal Abidin Ahmad, widely known as Za'ba, became one of the most influential figures in Malay language reform and literary criticism. His works on grammar and vocabulary standardized Malay usage and educational materials throughout the Malay-speaking world. As a scholar and advisor, he championed cultural and educational development, writing essays and textbooks that remain staples in Malaysian schools and universities. His publications shaped the modern Malay literary canon, and his academic legacy continues to influence scholars and writers long after his passing in 1973.

Hans Augusto Rey was born in Hamburg in 1898 and, with his wife Margret, developed the mischievous monkey Curious George, first published in 1941. Fleeing the rise of Nazism, the Reys traveled across Europe and eventually settled in the United States, where they continued to write and illustrate a series of popular children's books. Rey's simple yet expressive illustrations and engaging storytelling captivated generations of young readers. Beyond Curious George, he created inventive map books and educational materials that made learning geography fun. His work has been translated into multiple languages and remains a staple of early childhood literature. Rey passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1977.

Vladimír Holan was born in Prague in 1905 and began publishing poetry in his early twenties, quickly earning recognition for his dense, introspective style. Influenced by symbolism and surrealism, his work often explored themes of existential doubt, mortality, and spiritual searching. His collection 'Triumf smrti' ('The Triumph of Death') and the play 'Noc s Hamletem' ('A Night with Hamlet') became landmarks of Czech modernist literature. After World War II, Holan's writing moved toward religious and philosophical subjects, reflecting his deep engagement with personal and national identity. He received numerous awards for his contributions to literature, and his poems remain widely studied and recited. Holan died in 1980, leaving a legacy as a master of poetic form and emotion.

In 1945, he defied military censorship to report on the effects of the atomic bomb on civilians. Burchett covered conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and China, often from the side of communist forces. He wrote numerous books and articles challenging Western Cold War policies. His career was marked by controversy and multiple trials for alleged espionage in Australia. Despite criticism, he remained committed to exposing the human cost of war until his death in 1983.

He began his career writing for radio shows before transitioning to television in the 1950s. Henning created three hit sitcoms: The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and Green Acres. His work helped define rural-themed comedy in American television history. He served as a producer and supervising writer on long-running shows through the 1970s. Henning received multiple Emmy nominations for his writing and production work.