September 19

Jean-Paul Bignon (1662–1743) was a French priest and scholar who served as the Royal Librarian to Louis XIV. He was the first perpetual secretary of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. Bignon led the Bignon Commission to regulate printing privileges and advance bibliographical knowledge. He compiled influential catalogs and modernized the Bibliothèque du Roi. His efforts laid the groundwork for systematic library classification in France. He corresponded with leading intellectuals and supported scientific and artistic endeavors.

Hartley Coleridge (1796–1849) was an English poet, essayist, and biographer. He was the eldest son of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and shared his father's literary talents. Hartley published collections including 'Poems' and 'Essays and Marginalia' that showcased his wit and insight. He served as headmaster of a school in Ambleside but struggled with personal challenges. Coleridge corresponded with leading Romantic figures and contributed to periodicals of his time. His works reflect Romantic themes of nature, spirituality, and introspection, cementing his literary legacy.

Born in 1889, Sarah Louise Delany became one of the first African-American women licensed as a dentist and spent decades in private practice and teaching. In 1993, at the age of 103, she co-authored the bestselling memoir Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years, which chronicled her life and her sister’s over a century of social change in America. The book brought her international acclaim and renewed interest in civil rights history. Delany remained an active speaker on race relations until her passing in 1999 at the remarkable age of 109.

Born in 1894, Rachel Field achieved early success with Hitty: Her First Hundred Years, which became the first children’s book to win the Newbery Medal in 1930. She wrote novels, biographies, and poetry, exploring themes of adventure and history. Field’s works include Time Out of Mind and All This, and Heaven Too, later adapted into a Hollywood film. She also penned lyrics for the enduring holiday classic "Sleigh Ride." Field’s lyrical prose and vivid imagination left a lasting legacy before her untimely death in 1942.

William Golding served in the Royal Navy during World War II before turning to writing. His debut novel, "Lord of the Flies" (1954), became a classic allegory on civilization and savagery. Golding's subsequent works, including "The Inheritors" and "The Spire", continued to examine moral and psychological themes. In 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his insightful portrayal of the human condition. He was knighted in 1988 and taught English at various institutions, influencing generations of students. Golding's powerful narratives and philosophical depth have made him one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

Roger Grenier (1919–2017) was a French writer, journalist, and critic celebrated for his elegant prose and sharp insights. After World War II, he joined the editorial boards of France Soir and Paris Match, reporting on major global events with depth and nuance. Grenier authored more than thirty books, including novels, memoirs, and essay collections that explore memory, identity, and human connection. His friendship with Albert Camus influenced his philosophical approach to writing and underscored his commitment to humanist values. As a professor and magazine contributor, he mentored young writers and shaped French literary discourse for decades.

Roger Angell (1920–2022) was an American author and editor best known for his lyrical baseball writing in The New Yorker. Joining the magazine in 1944, he served as a fiction editor and later became its principal chronicler of America's pastime. His collections, including 'The Summer Game' and 'Five Seasons,' blended poetic description with deep understanding of the sport's human drama. Angell also edited fiction by renowned authors and contributed essays, short stories, and criticism that influenced post-war American literature. His warmth, wit, and mastery of language earned him widespread acclaim and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame's writers' wing.

Damon Knight (1922–2002) was an American writer, editor, and critic pivotal in shaping modern science fiction. His classic short story 'To Serve Man' remains a favorite for its blend of ingenuity and social commentary. In 1965, Knight founded the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and later established the prestigious Nebula Awards. As an editor, he curated influential anthologies and championed emerging voices in the genre. Knight also led writing workshops, mentoring authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin and Harlan Ellison. His critical essays and theoretical work helped legitimize science fiction as a serious literary field.

Mike Royko began his journalism career in Chicago, writing for the Sun-Times and the Daily News. Born in 1932, he won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1972 for his incisive coverage of city politics and corruption. Royko created iconic recurring characters in his columns, offering a humorous yet critical view of modern life. His books, including Boss and Jailbait, compile his most memorable essays and columns. He was celebrated for giving voice to the common man and holding power to account. Royko wrote daily columns until his death in 1997, leaving a lasting influence on American journalism.

Born in Leobschütz in 1932, Stefanie Zweig experienced exile in Africa as a child and later recounted these memories in her acclaimed memoir Nowhere in Africa. A resounding success, the book won numerous literary awards and was adapted into a feature film that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002. Throughout her career, she contributed to major German publications, blending journalism and personal narrative to illuminate exile and identity. Her writing resonated with readers worldwide, offering an intimate look at displacement and resilience. Zweig's work remains a poignant testament to the power of storytelling.

Born in 1933, Gilles Archambault began his writing career in Quebec during the 1950s. He has published numerous novels and essays that explore themes of memory, identity, and human connection. As a journalist, his work appeared in major French-language publications, earning him recognition in Canadian literary circles. Archambault's lyrical style and insightful observations have influenced generations of writers in Quebec and beyond. His contributions to literature and journalism continue to be celebrated for their depth and authenticity.

İsmet Özel emerged in the 1960s as a leading voice in Turkish poetry, blending political commentary with deep philosophical inquiry. His early works addressed social justice and Marxist ideals, while later collections reflected his turn toward Islamic thought and cultural critique. Özel has published numerous volumes of poetry and essays, earning a reputation for his incisive analysis of Turkish society. He has lectured extensively at universities and cultural forums, influencing both literary and intellectual circles. His style is marked by vivid imagery, critical depth, and a commitment to exploring themes of identity and belief. Özel remains a significant figure in contemporary Turkish literature.