September 26

Fujiwara no Teika was a central figure in the development of waka poetry in medieval Japan. He served the imperial court and compiled the authoritative anthology 'Shin Kokin Wakashū.' Teika's own poems and his poetic theories set standards for aesthetics such as yūgen (mystery and depth). His diaries and correspondence offer valuable insights into the literary culture of his time. His legacy endures in the continued study and performance of traditional Japanese court poetry.

Gottfried von Hagenau was an Alsatian scholar active in the early 14th century. He held roles as a theologian, medical doctor, and poet, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of medieval scholarship. His theological writings engaged with the scholastic debates of the High Middle Ages, while his medical practice served local communities across Alsace. As a poet, he crafted Latin verses that wove religious themes with classical influences. Gottfried's diverse works illustrate the rich intellectual life of medieval Europe.

Cecco d'Ascoli was an early polymath who compiled extensive knowledge in his famous didactic poem 'Acerba.' He combined astronomical observations, natural history, and philosophical discourse within a poetic framework. As a practicing physician, he served noble patrons and applied his understanding of medicine to clinical care. His outspoken views on astrology and critical thinking attracted scrutiny from church authorities. Tried for heresy, he was executed in 1327, cementing his reputation as a bold medieval thinker.

Lafcadio Hearn, also known by his Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, was a versatile author and professor. Born in Greece and raised in Ireland, he traveled widely before settling in Japan in 1890. Hearn collected and translated Japanese ghost stories, folklore, and essays, sharing them with Western readers. His works, such as 'Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things,' remain classics of supernatural literature. He taught English literature at the Imperial University of Tokyo and became a naturalized Japanese citizen. Hearn’s deep appreciation for Japanese aesthetics influenced perceptions of Japanese culture abroad.

Born in Ohio in 1859, Andy Adams worked as a cowboy in the Western United States. He drew on his experiences to write The Log of a Cowboy, published in 1903. Adams's novels and stories offered authentic depictions of frontier life, contrasting with romanticized portrayals. His works include A Texas Matchmaker and Cowboy Responses. Adams became respected for his naturalistic style and attention to detail. His writing influenced later Western genre authors and scholars. He died in 1935, leaving behind a body of literature valued for its historical accuracy.

Born in 1861, Iván Persa was ordained as a Catholic priest in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He served pastoral roles among Slovene communities, focusing on education and spiritual guidance. Persa authored several religious texts and essays in Slovene and Hungarian languages. His writings addressed cultural identity and faith during a period of national awakening. He was known for his efforts to bridge linguistic and cultural divides in multiethnic regions. Persa's work contributed to the preservation of Slovene heritage in Central Europe. He passed away in 1935, remembered for his dedication to faith and literature.

Born in 1869, William Strunk Jr. was an English professor at Cornell University for over thirty years. He published "The Elements of Style" in 1918 as a concise manual on English usage and composition. Strunk emphasized clarity, brevity, and proper grammar in effective writing. His guide was later revised by E. B. White, gaining widespread acclaim in academia. He mentored generations of students in literature and rhetoric. Strunk's work influenced writing education in schools and universities across America. He passed away in 1946, leaving a lasting legacy in English language instruction.

Born in 1886 in Maiden Newton, England, Hugh Lofting served as an ambulance driver in World War I. During the war, he began writing letters home featuring the character Doctor Dolittle. His first Dolittle book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, was published in 1920. Lofting wrote and illustrated numerous installments about the talking veterinarian and his animal adventures. His storytelling combined whimsy, humor, and commentary on human-animal relationships. Lofting's work won international popularity and multiple literary awards. He died in 1947, remembered for his imaginative contributions to children's literature.

Born in Madrid in 1863 and raised in Boston, George Santayana became a prominent philosopher and cultural critic. He taught at Harvard University, influencing early American pragmatism. Santayana's major works include The Life of Reason and Skepticism and Animal Faith. He penned poetry, essays, and novels exploring the interplay of belief, reason, and aesthetics. His famous aphorisms include "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." After retiring in 1912, Santayana lived in Italy, continuing his literary pursuits. He died in 1952, remembered for his elegant prose and enduring philosophical insights.

Born in Wales in 1902, Davies became a leading Unitarian minister in the United States, serving congregations in Nebraska and Washington, D.C. A passionate advocate for civil liberties, he spoke out against McCarthyism and defended free thought during the Cold War. As an author, he combined theological depth with sharp political commentary in his essays and sermons. His works explored ethics, social justice, and the role of religion in public life, resonating with a broad readership. Davies’s fearless advocacy and eloquent prose left a lasting impact on religious liberalism and American intellectual discourse.

Samuel Flagg Bemis (1891–1973) was an American historian renowned for his scholarly studies of United States diplomatic history. He earned the Pulitzer Prize for History and served as a professor at Yale University, where he mentored generations of historians. His authoritative works on topics such as Jay's Treaty and the Monroe Doctrine remain influential. Bemis combined rigorous archival research with engaging narrative to illuminate the development of American foreign policy. Over his career, he published dozens of books and articles that shaped understanding of America's role on the world stage. He is remembered as a leading figure in 20th-century American historiography.

He was born in 1907 in Rome into a bourgeois family and spent much of his youth bedridden due to tuberculosis, which limited his formal education. Moravia published his first novel, 'Gli indifferenti' ('The Time of Indifference'), in 1929, earning immediate acclaim for its stark portrayal of moral decay in the Italian middle class. Over the following decades, he explored themes of existential alienation, sexuality, and social conformity in works such as 'La Noia' ('Boredom') and 'Il Conformista' ('The Conformist'). His penetrating prose and critical essays cemented his reputation as one of Italy’s foremost literary figures. Many of his novels were adapted into acclaimed films by directors like Bernardo Bertolucci and Jean-Luc Godard. Moravia’s writings offered a mirror to 20th-century society and continue to be studied for their psychological depth and social insight. He passed away in 1990, leaving a rich legacy of modern Italian literature.