September 27

Born in 1589 in Paris to the influential Arnauld family, Robert Arnauld d'Andilly served as secretary to Queen Marie de' Medici before retiring to a life of religious contemplation. A key figure in the Jansenist movement, he wrote devotional works, translations, and memoirs that influenced French spirituality. He played a foundational role in the establishment of the Port-Royal convent and its educational initiatives. Known for his refined prose and piety, he bridged politics and faith in seventeenth-century France. He died on September 27, 1674, leaving a significant literary and theological legacy.

Laurence Eusden was born in Holderness, England, in 1688 and displayed early literary talent. He rose to prominence as a poet and was appointed Poet Laureate in 1718, succeeding Nahum Tate. Eusden wrote satirical and occasional verse, reflecting the tastes of the Georgian court. His poetry often praised the monarchy and political figures of his time. Despite his official title, his works received mixed critical reception and fell into obscurity after his death. He died on September 27, 1730, leaving behind a modest literary legacy that reflects the early 18th-century poetic style.

Ivan Goncharov was born in Simbirsk (now Ulyanovsk), Russia, in 1812 and studied at the noblemen's boarding school. He worked in the customs service while pursuing his passion for literature in spare moments. Goncharov's first novel, 'A Common Story' (1847), drew from his own experiences at sea. His masterpiece, 'Oblomov' (1859), offered a critique of inertia within the Russian gentry class. He was admired for his vivid character studies and contributions to Russian realism alongside Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Goncharov died in St. Petersburg on September 27, 1891, and his works remain staples of Russian literature.

Born in 1858, de Gourmont initially trained in law before dedicating himself to literature and criticism. He wrote novels, essays, and poetry that challenged conventional aesthetics and embraced symbolism. His critical works, such as 'Le Problème du Style', explored the nature of language and authorship. He contributed to the journals Mercure de France and La Revue blanche, influencing a generation of writers. As a central figure in the Parisian literary scene, he mentored younger authors and fostered avant-garde movements. De Gourmont's ideas on form and style had a lasting impact on modernist literature. He passed away in 1915, remembered as a key voice in early 20th-century French letters.

H.D. (Hilda Doolittle, 1886–1961) was an American poet and a central figure in the Imagist movement. Her spare, evocative verse influenced modernist poetry and inspired contemporaries such as Ezra Pound. She published groundbreaking works including 'Sea Garden' (1916) and 'Helen in Egypt' (1961). H.D. also wrote novels and memoirs, exploring themes of identity, psychology, and mythology. Her pioneering style and literary contributions have secured her place among the most innovative poets of the 20th century.

John E. Mack was born in New York City in 1929 and pursued psychiatry after earning his medical degree. At Harvard Medical School, he conducted pioneering studies on trauma and human development, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1977 for his biography of T.E. Lawrence. In the 1990s, Mack’s work shifted to the study of individuals claiming alien abduction experiences, in-depth interviews that challenged mainstream psychiatric thought on consciousness. His empathetic approach and rigorous methodology sparked global debate about the boundaries of scientific inquiry. Mack published several influential books and lectured widely on human transformation and the nature of belief. He died in 2004 in England, leaving a complex legacy that continues to inspire discussion.

Mary Lee Settle (1918–2005) was a celebrated American writer whose novels, essays, and memoirs delved into the complexities of identity and place, particularly in the Appalachian region. She won the National Book Award in 1978 for her novel "Blood Tie," the first major literary prize awarded to her work. A founding member of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, she championed emerging writers and fostered a vibrant literary community. Settle's writing is acclaimed for its lyrical prose, vivid character studies, and thoughtful engagement with social issues. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she published over a dozen books, leaving a lasting impact on American literature.

Kallen Pokkudan, also known as the Mangrove Man, was born in 1937 in Kerala. He dedicated his life to preserving and restoring the mangrove ecosystems along the Malabar Coast. From the 1980s, he led grassroots movements and personally planted and protected thousands of mangrove saplings. An influential figure in Indian environmentalism, he wrote several memoirs and books sharing his ecological insights. His writings, in Malayalam and English, raised awareness about the importance of coastal biodiversity. Pokkudan received numerous awards for his conservation efforts and inspired a generation of environmental activists.

Kavita Mahajan was born in 1967 in Pune, India. She authored acclaimed Marathi novels that explored themes of feminism and modern life. A prolific translator, she brought works of prominent international authors to Marathi readers. Her translations earned her national recognition and awards for excellence in literary translation. Mahajan's work contributed significantly to Marathi literature and cross-cultural understanding. She mentored emerging writers and supported literary initiatives across India.