September 22

Born in 1007, Ouyang Xiu rose through the civil service examinations to serve as a high-ranking official under multiple Song emperors. A leading figure of the Qingli Reforms, he championed administrative changes and criticized corruption. Ouyang was also a masterful writer and poet, producing lyrical essays and poems that influenced later literati. He compiled the influential New Book of Tang and contributed to historiography with his erudite style. Even after periods of exile, his intellectual legacy endured, shaping both political thought and literary aesthetics in imperial China.

Alain-Fournier, born Henri Alban Fournier (1886–1914), was a French writer whose single novel, 'Le Grand Meaulnes,' achieved lasting literary acclaim. Published in 1913, the book captures themes of adolescence, longing, and the ephemeral nature of youth. Though his literary output was limited, his poetic prose and evocative storytelling influenced French literature. In 1909 he served briefly in the French army, and with the outbreak of World War I he returned to service as a lieutenant. Fournier was killed by German artillery fire near Vaux-lès-Palameix on September 22, 1914. His death at 27 cut short a promising career, and posthumous publications of his letters and unfinished works added to his mystique. He is remembered as a symbol of a generation of writers lost in the Great War.

Alajos Gáspár (1848–1919) was a Hungarian-Slovene writer, poet, and cultural figure from the Prekmurje region. He wrote poetry and prose in the Prekmurje Slovene dialect, preserving local linguistic and folk traditions. Gáspár contributed to regional newspapers and was involved in promoting education and cultural awareness among the Slovene community. His poetry often explored themes of rural life, identity, and the natural landscape of his homeland. Through his literary and journalistic work, he played a key role in the 19th-century Slovene national revival in Hungary. Gáspár's legacy endures in the cultural heritage of Prekmurje, where his writings remain a source of regional pride.

Rais Amrohvi was a prominent Pakistani psychoanalyst and scholar. He made significant contributions to Urdu poetry and literary criticism. His works often explored themes of human psychology and social issues. Amrohvi earned his reputation through both academic research and poetic expression. He influenced Urdu literature with his insightful analyses and lyrical verses. His legacy endures in South Asian literary and psychoanalytic circles.

Leonard Feather was an English-American jazz pianist and composer. He authored key reference works on jazz, including the Encyclopaedia of Jazz. As a record producer and critic, Feather shaped public appreciation of jazz music. His compositions were recorded by legends like Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald. Feather worked as a journalist for publications such as Down Beat. His writings and recordings helped define modern jazz journalism and scholarship.

Born in Haarlem in 1914, Jan de Hartog moved to the United States as a young man and began writing stories for magazines. His play The Fourposter premiered on Broadway in 1951 and won a Tony Award, later adapted into a film starring Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer. De Hartog penned best-selling adventure novels and the popular The Captain series, showcasing his knack for maritime storytelling. A committed humanitarian, he used proceeds from his work to support hospitals in the Netherlands and advocate for social causes. He was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for his literary contributions and charitable efforts. De Hartog continued writing and lecturing until his death in Amsterdam in 2002 at the age of 88.

Hugo Young was born in 1938 in Empingham, England, and educated at the London School of Economics. He began his journalism career at The Sunday Telegraph before becoming Washington bureau chief for The Sunday Times. In 1990, he joined The Guardian as chief political columnist, where his analysis of conservative and centrist politics shaped public debate. Young authored several respected books on British politics, including This Blessed Plot and One of Us, which examined national identity and leadership. He was awarded the Orwell Prize in 1997 for his contributions to political writing. Young's clear, insightful prose and commitment to journalistic integrity made him a leading voice in his field. He died in 2003, leaving a lasting impact on political journalism.

Gary Brandner was an American writer and screenwriter born in 1930. He is most famous for his 'The Howling' trilogy, which was adapted into a successful film series. Brandner's vivid storytelling and suspenseful plots influenced the horror genre in both literature and cinema. In addition to novels, he wrote screenplays for film and television, demonstrating versatility across mediums. His work continues to inspire horror writers and filmmakers seeking to blend psychological tension with supernatural elements.

Álvaro Mutis was a Colombian-Mexican poet and novelist born in 1923. He created the iconic character Maqroll, central to a series of works exploring adventure and existential themes. Mutis's rich, poetic language earned him international acclaim and the prestigious Cervantes Prize in 2001. His narratives often blend travel, mythology, and reflection on human destiny. Mutis's work remains influential in Latin American literature for its depth and imagination.

Luciano Vincenzoni was an Italian screenwriter born in 1926. He collaborated with directors like Sergio Leone on iconic films such as 'For a Few Dollars More' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'. Vincenzoni's scripts combined sharp dialogue with memorable characters, helping to define the Spaghetti Western genre. Over his career, he wrote for more than forty films across various genres. His contributions left an indelible mark on international cinema and popular culture.

Hilary Mantel was born in 1952 in Derbyshire, England, and became one of the foremost writers of historical fiction. Her Wolf Hall trilogy, focusing on the life of Thomas Cromwell, earned her the Booker Prize in 2009 and 2012, making her the first woman to win it twice. Mantel's work was praised for its rich character development, meticulous research, and fresh narrative voice. She also wrote essays, short stories, and memoirs, exploring themes of power, identity, and memory. Mantel taught creative writing, lectured internationally, and mentored emerging authors. She died in 2022, leaving a profound legacy in contemporary literature.

Fredric Jameson was an American literary critic and Marxist political theorist whose work reshaped the study of literature and culture. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he earned his PhD in Romance languages and literatures before embarking on an academic career at universities including Duke and Yale. Jameson's seminal book 'Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism' offered groundbreaking insights into the cultural shifts under global capitalism. He also authored influential works such as 'The Political Unconscious' and 'Archaeologies of the Future,' exploring ideology, narrative, and utopian thought. His interdisciplinary approach combined Marxist theory, psychoanalysis, and semiotics, influencing fields from film studies to architecture. Jameson's rigorous scholarship and engaging prose made him one of the most cited and respected critics of the late 20th century.