September 18

Born in 1664, he studied at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. He gained recognition for his satirical and narrative poems at the court of William III. He served as Member of Parliament and held key positions in the Treasury under Queen Anne. From 1711 to 1713, he was appointed British Ambassador to Paris, negotiating peace terms. He died in 1721, remembered for blending literary talent with statesmanship.

Born in 1778, Hazlitt emerged as one of the foremost essayists of the Romantic era, producing memorable critiques of literature, art, and society. His works, including "Characters of Shakespeare's Plays" and "On the Pleasure of Hating," showcased his wit, keen observation, and fearless opinions. A friend of Coleridge and acquaintance of Wordsworth, Hazlitt moved in the vibrant circles of London's intellectual scene. He was also an accomplished painter and portrayed many literary figures of his time. Despite financial struggles, Hazlitt's prose style and critical approach influenced generations of writers and established him as a seminal voice in English letters.

Born in Huntly, Scotland in 1824, George MacDonald was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. He gained fame for novels and fairy tales such as 'Phantastes' and 'At the Back of the North Wind'. His writing blended Christian themes with imaginative storytelling, influencing writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. MacDonald also produced volumes of poetry and sermons, showcasing his theological grounding. He toured the United Kingdom and the United States as a lecturer on literature and faith. He died in 1905, leaving a legacy as one of the founding fathers of fantasy fiction.

Born in Warsaw in 1885, Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz—known as 'Witkacy'—was the son of painter Stanisław Witkiewicz. He pioneered the 'Pure Form' theory in art and wrote experimental plays and novels that critiqued modern society. As a painter, Witkacy developed a unique style featuring distorted forms and vibrant colors. He also worked as a portrait photographer, capturing prominent cultural figures of interwar Poland. During World War I, he served in the Russian cavalry and later traveled across Eurasia, describing his adventures in travelogues. His life ended tragically in 1939 amid the Soviet invasion of Poland, but his interdisciplinary legacy endures.

Born in 1866 in Boston, Burgess studied art and literature at Harvard University. He became a prominent figure in San Francisco's Belle Epoque scene as a writer and critic. Burgess founded the literary magazine 'The Lark' and was a champion of modern art in America. His whimsical 1895 poem 'The Purple Cow' became a cultural phenomenon, and he coined the term 'blurb' for promotional book jacket copy. A versatile humorist and poet, he explored multiple genres from satire to children's verse. He died in 1951 at the age of 85, leaving a lasting mark on American letters.

Born in 1899 near Étampes, France, Péret became a leading voice in the Surrealist movement under André Breton's influence. He co-founded the journal La Révolution surréaliste and published provocative poems that challenged conventional aesthetics. Péret's writings blended political radicalism with dreamlike imagery, reflecting his anarchist beliefs. In 1929 he lived in Brazil, writing the experimental work Le Grand Jeu before returning to Europe. He joined the French Resistance during World War II and continued to write political essays and poetry after the war. He died in 1959, recognized as one of Surrealism's most daring poets.

Born in 1880 in Dublin, O'Casey worked in the city's docks before turning to writing. He captured the struggles of Ireland's working class in plays like 'Juno and the Paycock' (1924) and 'The Plough and the Stars' (1926), blending humor and tragedy against the backdrop of political turmoil. His realistic dialogue and vivid characters brought new depth to Irish theatre. Facing censorship and protests, he eventually moved to England but continued to write memoirs, essays, and additional plays. His memoir, The Story of the Irish Race, provides a personal view of his upbringing and social landscape. O'Casey died in 1964, celebrated as one of Ireland's foremost dramatists.

Katherine Anne Porter was born in 1890 in Indian Creek, Texas, and became one of America's most acclaimed literary figures. Her writing is noted for its psychological depth, elegant prose style, and keen observations of social dynamics. Porter's breakthrough came with her story collection 'Flowering Judas' in 1930, which established her reputation. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1966 for 'The Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter.' Her only novel, 'Ship of Fools,' published in 1962, became an international bestseller and was adapted into a film. Porter's experiences as a journalist, traveler, and survivor of the 1913 West Virginia mine disaster informed much of her work. She continued writing essays and stories until her death in 1980, leaving a lasting impact on American literature.

Haim Hefer was born in Sosnowiec, Poland, in 1925 and immigrated to British Mandate Palestine as a child. He served in the Palmach, the elite fighting force of the Haganah, where he began writing songs and poems that captured the spirit of the emerging Israeli state. Hefer penned lyrics for hundreds of songs, many of which became classics and were adopted by the Israel Defense Forces Chorus. His works blended folklore, humor, and national sentiment, earning him accolades such as the Israel Prize for Hebrew song. Beyond music, he wrote plays, books, and articles, contributing significantly to Israeli culture and identity. Hefer remained active in the arts until his death in 2012.

Born in 1920 in Poland, he survived World War II and became Germany’s most influential literary critic after 1945. Reich-Ranicki hosted the bestselling television program “Das Literarische Quartett,” shaping public opinion on contemporary literature. He authored the acclaimed memoir “Mein Leben,” detailing his experiences during the Holocaust and his literary career. A passionate advocate for free expression, he was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1988. His rigorous standards and charismatic presence left an indelible mark on European literary culture before his death in 2013.

Afzal Ahsan Randhawa was a distinguished Pakistani author, poet, and playwright who wrote primarily in Punjabi and Urdu. His creative works ranged from novels and short stories to theatrical plays and translations. He served as a prominent voice in Pakistan's literary circles, often addressing social and cultural themes with depth and nuance. Randhawa’s contributions were recognized with multiple awards, including the Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan. He also translated notable international works, bringing global literature to South Asian audiences. As an editor and translator, he played a key role in promoting Punjabi language and culture through his scholarship and writings.