October 15

Lucretius was a Roman poet and philosopher born in 99 BC. He is best known for his didactic poem 'De Rerum Natura' which explores Epicurean philosophy. His work introduced Roman readers to atomistic theory and naturalistic explanations of the world. He combined poetic artistry with scientific inquiry, influencing later thinkers during the Renaissance. Little is known about his life, but his writings left a lasting legacy in both literature and philosophy.

Virgil was born in 70 BC near Mantua in Cisalpine Gaul. He composed the 'Eclogues', 'Georgics', and most famously the 'Aeneid'. The 'Aeneid' tells the legendary story of Aeneas, founding father of Rome. His poetic style and themes of duty and piety shaped Roman cultural identity. Virgil's influence endured through the Medieval and Renaissance periods as a model of epic poetry.

Konrad Mutian was born in 1471 and became a leading humanist of his era. He studied at the University of Erfurt and later in Italy، embracing classical learning. Mutian corresponded with the circle of Neoplatonic scholars known as the 'Epistolaries of Mutian'. He wrote Latin epigrams critiquing ecclesiastical and academic corruption with witty scholarship. Although he never held a major ecclesiastical office، his intellectual circle influenced the German Renaissance. He died in 1526، leaving behind letters and poems that shaped early humanist thought.

Ramsay championed the revival of Scots vernacular poetry and founded The Tea-Table Miscellany, a seminal collection of Scots songs. His pastoral play "The Gentle Shepherd" became a cornerstone of Scottish literature and influenced later writers. He was instrumental in London literary circles, bridging Scottish and English cultural traditions. As a prominent figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, his works blended wit, satire, and Romantic sentiment. Ramsay’s legacy endures in his contributions to vernacular literature and his role in shaping Scottish national identity.

Born into Russian nobility in 1814, Lermontov became a leading figure of Romanticism in literature. His novel "A Hero of Our Time" is considered one of the first masterpieces of Russian psychological prose. He penned poignant poetry reflecting themes of fate, freedom, and the Caucasus landscape. An accomplished painter, he captured vivid scenes from his travels across the Russian Empire. His untimely death in a duel at age 26 cemented his legacy as a tragic genius in Russian arts.

Born in 1844 in Röcken, Prussia, Friedrich Nietzsche was a classical philologist turned revolutionary thinker. As a professor at the University of Basel, he challenged conventional morality and religion in works like "Beyond Good and Evil." He introduced the concepts of the "will to power" and "eternal recurrence," influencing existentialism and postmodernism. Nietzsche also composed music and wrote poetry, reflecting his multifaceted creativity. After a mental collapse in 1889, he spent his final years under care before dying in 1900, leaving an enduring philosophical legacy.

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881–1975) authored dozens of novels, short stories, and plays over seven decades. His lighthearted comedies, often set among the British upper class, feature the bumbling aristocrat Bertie Wooster and his resourceful valet Jeeves. Wodehouse's witty prose and intricate plots earned him international acclaim and a loyal readership. During World War II, he controversially made radio broadcasts from German-occupied France, later claiming his intent was purely humorous. After the war, he continued writing and was knighted in 1975 for his literary contributions. Wodehouse's work has influenced generations of comic writers and remains in print worldwide.

Born Willard Huntington Wright, S. S. Van Dine was an influential American author and literary critic.\nUnder his pen name, he popularized the detective genre with his series featuring the erudite sleuth Philo Vance, beginning with \"The Benson Murder Case.\"\nHis novels were known for their intricate plots and stylish prose, contributing to the Golden Age of detective fiction.\nVan Dine also wrote critical essays that shaped American literary discourse in the 1920s and 1930s.\nDespite a relatively brief writing career, his works left a lasting impact on mystery storytelling.

Álvaro de Campos was a literary heteronym created by the renowned Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa.\nProfessionally styled as an engineer in his poetry, Campos explored themes of modernity, sensation, and existential longing in a bold, free-verse style.\nHis work, including poems like \"Ode Triunfal\" and \"Tabacaria,\" challenged traditional forms and embraced the dynamism of early 20th-century life.\nCampos’s passionate and often contradictory voice gave depth to Pessoa’s exploration of identity.\nThough not a real person, the character’s writings have become celebrated classics in Portuguese literature.

Born in Madrid, Enrique Jardiel Poncela emerged as a leading figure in Spanish theater and literature.\nHis witty, absurdist comedies, such as \"Eloísa está debajo de un almendro,\" revolutionized Spanish stagecraft in the 1930s.\nJardiel Poncela also authored novels and short stories characterized by sharp humor and inventive narrative.\nDespite political upheaval during and after the Spanish Civil War, his works continued to influence generations of writers.\nHe remains a cornerstone of 20th-century Spanish comedy.

Charles Percy Snow, known as C. P. Snow, was a British physicist and civil servant who also achieved success as a novelist.\nHe held senior positions in the British Civil Service and served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.\nIn his 1959 Rede Lecture, later published as \"The Two Cultures,\" Snow analyzed the growing divide between scientific and literary intellectuals.\nHis novels, the \"Strangers and Brothers\" series, offer a panoramic view of British academic and political life.\nSnow’s interdisciplinary work sparked debates on the integration of science and the humanities.

Varian Fry was born in New York City in 1907 and began his career as a journalist and author. In 1940, he traveled to Marseille, France, to aid intellectuals and artists persecuted by the Nazis. Fry established a rescue network that helped more than 2,000 refugees escape, including prominent writers and scholars. He coordinated safe houses, forged documents, and smuggled people across borders at great personal risk. After being expelled by the Vichy regime in 1941, Fry continued to write about his experiences. His efforts earned him recognition as a key figure in humanitarian rescue operations during World War II. Fry died in 1967 but is remembered for his courageous stand against tyranny.