October 30

Jacques Amyot served as Bishop of Auxerre and gained fame for his French translations of Plutarch’s 'Lives' and other classical texts. Born in 1513, he contributed to making ancient literature accessible to the French-speaking public, shaping Renaissance thought in France. His translations were admired for their clarity and style, influencing writers such as Montaigne. As a humanist, Amyot maintained close ties with leading intellectuals and patrons of the arts. He died in 1593, remembered as a bridge between classical antiquity and Renaissance France.

Paul Pellisson chronicled the reign of Louis XIV, producing detailed accounts of political and cultural life at the French court. Born in 1624, he was admitted to the Académie Française in 1670 and served as its secretary, defending the institution through turbulent times. Pellisson’s works, including his 'Histoire de l’Académie française', combine rigorous scholarship with literary elegance. He navigated challenges as a Protestant in Catholic France, finding patronage among powerful figures such as Nicolas Fouquet. Pellisson died in 1693, remembered for his contributions to French historiography and letters.

Born in Dublin in 1751, Sheridan gained fame as a playwright with hits such as 'The Rivals' (1775) and 'The School for Scandal' (1777), which remain staples of English theatre. He also published poetry and was celebrated for his wit and satirical style. In 1787, Sheridan entered politics as a Member of Parliament for Stafford, later representing Westminster. He served as Treasurer of the Navy under Prime Minister Pitt the Younger. A gifted orator and charismatic figure, he championed political reform and the rights of the press. Despite financial difficulties and personal scandals, Sheridan continued to write and perform on stage for many years. He died in 1816, remembered as one of the leading literary and political figures of his era.

Born in Constantinople in 1762 to a family of diplomats, André Chénier was educated in France and excelled at classical studies. His poetry combined classical influences with emerging romantic themes, earning him acclaim among literary circles. Chénier's most famous works include the poem 'Jeune captive' and parts of his unfinished epic 'Les Bucoliques'. Although he briefly took minor roles during the French Revolution, he was arrested during the Reign of Terror due to his aristocratic background. Tragically, Chénier was executed by guillotine in 1794 at the age of 31, just days before the fall of Robespierre. His death made him a martyr to many and his collected works were published posthumously. Chénier's blend of classical elegance and personal emotion influenced later generations of poets.

Born in Montreal in 1786, Philippe-Joseph Aubert de Gaspé served as a militia officer before turning to literature. His novel 'Les Anciens Canadiens' (1863) vividly portrays colonial life in Quebec, blending historical events with local traditions and characters. Aubert de Gaspé's works are valued for their authentic depiction of 19th-century Canadian society and for preserving French-Canadian heritage. He wrote several other narratives and memoirs drawing on his experiences in the military and his aristocratic background. In his later years, he became a respected elder statesman of Canadian letters. His contributions helped lay the foundations for French-Canadian literature. He died in 1871, leaving a lasting imprint on Canada’s cultural history.

Paul Valéry was born in 1871 in Sète, France, and became a leading figure in French literature and philosophy. He began his career writing poetry that exemplified the Symbolist movement with its precise language and introspective tone. Valéry’s essay “La Jeune Parque” established his reputation for blending poetic imagery with philosophical inquiry. Throughout his life, he explored aesthetics, consciousness, and the nature of creativity in works like “Introduction à la méthode de Léonard de Vinci.” He was elected to the Académie Française in 1925 and lectured extensively on art and the mind. Valéry’s lucid style and rigorous thought influenced modern literature and criticism until his death in 1945.

Elizabeth Madox Roberts was born in 1881 in Kentucky and became known for her rich, poetic writing style. She published her first novel, “The Time of Man,” in 1926 to critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of Appalachian life. Roberts’s work often explored themes of spirituality, nature, and the struggles of small-town communities. She won a fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation in 1928 and taught literature at various institutions. Her novels and poems reflect a deep connection to the American South and its traditions. Roberts passed away in 1941, leaving a legacy as a distinctive voice in early 20th-century American literature.

American expatriate writer who became a central figure in the early modernist movement. Pound was instrumental in promoting fellow poets such as T.S. Eliot and James Joyce. His own works, including the long poem The Cantos, blended classical references with experimental techniques. He championed imagism, advocating for precision of imagery and clear, sharp language. During World War II, he made controversial broadcasts from Italy, leading to charges of treason. After the war, he was declared mentally unfit to stand trial and spent over a decade in a mental hospital. Despite his political controversies, Pound's editorial vision and poetic innovation left a lasting impact on literature.

Zoë Akins began her career writing poetry and received early acclaim for her verse. She transitioned to journalism and later found success as a playwright on Broadway. In 1935, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama with her play The Old Maid. Akins also wrote screenplays for Hollywood, adapting works of other authors for the silver screen. Her plays often explored themes of family dynamics and social expectations. She published several novels and collections of stories, showcasing her versatility across genres. Akins's contributions helped shape American theater and paved the way for future female dramatists.

Sukumar Ray was the son of respected writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury and fostered a creative environment from a young age. He gained fame for his book Abol Tabol, a collection of whimsical poems and drawings beloved by children and adults. Ray's work introduced absurdist humor and wordplay into Bengali literature, creating the genre of nonsense verse in India. He also produced satirical plays and short stories that critiqued social norms with wit and charm. As a talented illustrator, he added his own distinctive line drawings to his writings. Though he died at the young age of 36, Ray's imaginative legacy influenced generations of Indian writers and artists.

Kostas Karyotakis was a leading figure in early 20th-century Greek poetry, known for his bleak and introspective style. His major works, including the collection Painful Earth, reflect themes of alienation and existential despair. He worked as a government tax inspector, a profession that contrasted with his poetic sensibility. Karyotakis's struggles with depression ended in his suicide in 1928, cementing his status as a literary tragic figure. Posthumously, his writings have been celebrated for their emotional depth and modernist techniques.

Miguel Hernández was a leading voice of Spain's Generation of '36, known for his lyrical poetry and powerful dramas. Born in Orihuela, he rose from humble beginnings as a farm laborer to gain recognition for his verse evocative of rural life and social justice. Hernández published his first book of poems in 1933 and went on to write acclaimed works such as Viento del pueblo and the pastoral El rayo que no cesa. His art was intertwined with his leftist political beliefs, leading him to serve as a cultural commissar for the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War. Arrested after the war, he suffered imprisonment and hardship, yet continued to write moving poems until his death from tuberculosis in 1942. His legacy lives on through his poignant portrayal of human dignity in the face of suffering. Hernández remains one of Spain's most celebrated 20th-century poets.