October 03

Born in 1554, Greville was educated at Shrewsbury School and entered the royal court as a young man. A prolific writer, he composed poetry, plays, and essays that reflect Renaissance ideals. Created 1st Baron Brooke in 1621, he served as Treasurer of the Navy under King James I. His works, including "Caelica" and "Mustapha," exhibit his erudition and rhetorical skill. He navigated the complex politics of the Jacobean court as an advisor to Robert Cecil. He died by his own hand in 1628, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that influenced English poetry and drama.

Born in 1720 in Naumburg, Uz studied law at the University of Leipzig and later served as a judge. Parallel to his legal career, he gained fame for his pastoral and didactic poems published in literary journals. His work, including "Blumenlese" and "Hülfsgesänge", combined classical forms with moral reflection. Uz was part of the German literary circle Die Fränkische Gesellschaft, collaborating with peers like Haugwitz. He balanced his judicial responsibilities with writing, contributing to 18th-century German letters. He died in 1796, leaving a legacy as both a jurist and a poet who bridged law and literature.

Born Hippolyte Léon Denizard Rivail in Lyon, France, he adopted the pen name Allan Kardec. A scholar and translator, he published "The Spirits' Book" in 1857, laying the foundation for Spiritism. Kardec systematized spiritist philosophy through several follow-up works, including "The Mediums' Book" and "The Gospel According to Spiritism". He organized spiritist studies and founded the Parisian Society of Spiritist Studies in 1858. His teachings emphasized moral improvement and scientific inquiry into spiritual phenomena, influencing spiritual movements worldwide before his death in 1869.

Born in San Francisco in 1885, Treadwell trained as a journalist before turning to playwriting. She reported for the San Francisco Chronicle, honing a concise and vivid writing style. Her most famous play, Machinal (1928), is celebrated for its feminist critique of 1920s society and its innovative stagecraft. Treadwell wrote more than a dozen plays, as well as short stories, novels, and essays throughout her career. Her experimental narrative techniques contributed significantly to modern American drama. She also adapted her work for radio and film, extending her influence across mediums. Treadwell’s commitment to social justice and her narrative innovation secured her status as a pioneering figure in early twentieth-century theatre. She continued writing until her death in 1970, leaving a legacy that inspires artists and scholars.

Born Henri-Alban Fournier in 1886, he adopted the pen name Alain-Fournier and published his only novel, Le Grand Meaulnes, in 1913. The novel's evocative tale of adolescence and lost idealism earned immediate acclaim in France and remains a beloved classic. As a literary critic, he contributed essays and reviews exploring symbolism and modernist literary trends. When World War I broke out in 1914, he enlisted in the French army and was promoted to lieutenant. His experiences at the front informed his writing, though his promising career was cut short when he fell in battle near Vaux-lès-Palameix in September 1914. Posthumously, his fragmented manuscripts and letters have deepened appreciation for his lyrical prose and reflective intellect. Despite his brief life, Alain-Fournier's legacy endures through his singular vision of nostalgia and the transient nature of youth.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1888, Boteler began his career on stage before transitioning to film in the silent era. Known for his rugged features and reliable supporting roles, he appeared in over 300 movies, often portraying policemen, sergeants, and fathers. In addition to acting, he wrote several screenplays for short films and features, demonstrating versatility behind the camera. Boteler worked with major studios such as Universal and Warner Bros., contributing to genres ranging from westerns to crime dramas. His film appearances include The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) and The Green Ghost (1923). He smoothly transitioned into sound films, maintaining steady work until his death in 1943. Boteler's prolific output and dependable performances made him a valued presence on set and a recognizable face to moviegoers.

Born in Hamburg in 1889, Ossietzky became editor of the weekly magazine Die Weltbühne, where he exposed secret rearmament in post-World War I Germany. He used his pen to challenge the government's violation of the Treaty of Versailles and to advocate for international disarmament. In 1931 he published documents revealing covert military operations, leading to his imprisonment by the Nazi regime in 1933. Despite harsh conditions and declining health, he remained a vocal critic of totalitarianism and a symbol of free press. In 1935, while still incarcerated, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, provoking international outcry from the Nazi government. He was denied permission to travel to accept the award and died of tuberculosis in a concentration camp hospital in 1938. Ossietzky's legacy endures as a testament to journalistic integrity and the defense of human rights.

Born in Treviso in 1895, Comisso began publishing poetry as a young man and established himself with his first collection in 1914. He served in World War I, an experience that deepened his reflections on nature and the human spirit. After the war, he traveled extensively across Europe, Africa, and Asia, producing travel journals that blended literary flair with keen observation. Comisso’s works such as Gli Uccelli (1921) and Le Pietre (1925) showcase his poetic sensibility and philosophical insights. He also wrote novels and short stories, experimenting with narrative form and symbolism. His affinity for the Venetian landscape and Serenissima’s culture is a recurring theme in his later works. Comisso received several literary awards during his lifetime and his writings remain celebrated for their elegant style and introspective depth. He died in 1969, leaving a body of work that continues to captivate readers with its imaginative scope.

Born in the Ryazan countryside in 1895, Yesenin drew inspiration from peasant life and Russian folklore in his early poetry collections. His first book, Radunitsa (1916), established him as a voice of the countryside amid industrial expansion and social upheaval. Yesenin’s lyrical style, blending mysticism and realism, resonated widely and earned him acclaim within literary circles. During the tumultuous post-revolution period, he moved to Moscow and experimented with avant-garde forms before returning to traditional folk themes. Struggling with personal turmoil and alcoholism, he continued to write poignant poems that reflect the conflict between individual longing and collective ideals. His marriage to dancer Isadora Duncan and subsequent travels added a cosmopolitan dimension to his work. Yesenin’s tragic death in 1925 at age 30 cemented his reputation as a poetic genius whose brief life mirrored his passionate verse.

Born in Santander, Spain, Gerardo Diego emerged as a central figure in the Generation of '27 literary movement. He skillfully merged classical Spanish poetic forms with modernist experimentation. His works, such as 'Imagen' (1922) and 'Manual de Espumas' (1955), showcase his range and innovation. Diego also gained acclaim as a critic who championed new poetic voices in early 20th-century Spain. Over a career spanning decades, he influenced countless writers and helped shape modern Spanish literature. He received prestigious awards and continued writing until his death in 1987.

Born in Paris, Louis Aragon became one of the most influential voices in 20th-century French literature. He co-founded the Surrealist movement alongside André Breton and contributed to its poetic and theoretical development. Aragon's work evolved over time, merging avant-garde experimentation with political commitment after joining the French Communist Party. His notable novels include 'Aurélien' and his poetry collection 'Les Yeux d'Elsa', dedicated to his wife Elsa Triolet. He balanced artistic innovation with social engagement throughout his career. Aragon's legacy endures in French letters, and he remained active until his death in 1982.

Born in Asheville, North Carolina, Thomas Wolfe brought a new, expansive prose style to American literature. His semi-autobiographical debut novel, 'Look Homeward, Angel' (1929), garnered critical acclaim for its emotional depth and lyrical narrative. Wolfe's subsequent work, including 'Of Time and the River', further explored his personal experiences and ambitions in America. He studied at Harvard and collaborated closely with editor Maxwell Perkins, who shaped his manuscripts. Wolfe's richly detailed writing captured the spirit of early 20th-century life, though his sprawling drafts often required extensive editing. Despite his untimely death from tuberculosis in 1938, his contributions had a lasting impact on modern American fiction.