October 31

Evelyn’s 1664 publication 'Sylva' revolutionized English forestry and encouraged the planting of trees for naval timber. An avid diarist, his journals offer a vivid account of events like the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London. He advocated for urban planning, air quality, and public welfare in post-fire London reconstruction. A patron of the arts and sciences, he supported early experiments in electricity and chemistry. His diverse writings on architecture, horticulture, and morality influenced generations of scholars and gardeners. Evelyn’s legacy endures in the fields of environmental stewardship and cultural history.

Count Anne Claude de Caylus was a leading figure in the French Enlightenment's nascent field of archaeology. He amassed an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and published detailed memoirs and dissertations on Greek and Roman art. His writings, including Recueil d'antiquités égyptiennes, étrusques, grecques et romaines, provided scholars with some of the first systematic studies of classical antiquity. A patron of artists and literati, he fostered intellectual exchange at his Paris salon and influenced neoclassical design. De Caylus's charming fables and literary works also earned him acclaim among contemporary authors. His interdisciplinary approach bridged art history, literature and archaeology, laying groundwork for modern classical studies.

Christopher Anstey was a leading wit of the Georgian era, celebrated for his humorous and satirical verse. His most famous work, The New Bath Guide (1766), lampooned the fashionable spa society of Bath with lively epistolary poems. The book's success established him as a household name and influenced the development of the mock-epic genre in English literature. Anstey followed it with other poetic sketches and translations, showcasing his skill in parody and social commentary. He also published essays on various topics, engaging with Enlightenment debates. His playful and observant style continues to charm readers with its vivid portrayal of 18th-century society.

John Keats was an English Romantic poet whose work embodied beauty, emotion, and mortality. He wrote acclaimed odes such as To Autumn, Ode to a Nightingale, and Ode on a Grecian Urn that remain classics of English literature. Despite his limited output and early death at age 25 from tuberculosis, Keats's poetry had a profound influence on later writers. His vivid imagery and deep philosophical reflections set new standards for poetic expression. Keats's letters reveal his devotion to craft and his passion for truth and imagination. Over time, his reputation grew steadily, and today he is celebrated as one of the most beloved poets in the English language.

Krišjānis Barons was a Latvian folklorist, linguist, and publisher whose work preserved the nation's oral heritage. He is best known for his monumental collection of over 217,000 folk songs, or dainas, compiled into a multi-volume anthology. Barons established classification systems to organize and analyze folk traditions, pioneering methods in ethnography. He founded the Latvian Folklore Commission and edited the journal Latviešu tautasdziesmas. Through his efforts, Latvia's cultural identity was strengthened during periods of foreign rule. Barons's dedication ensured that folk songs remained a cornerstone of Latvian literature and national consciousness. His influence endures in contemporary folklore studies and cultural revival movements.

Marie Louise Andrews was born in 1849 in the United States. She gained recognition for her engaging short stories, which often explored themes of everyday life and social mores. As a journalist, she contributed articles and essays to leading periodicals of her era. Her work combined keen observation with a delicate sense of humor, earning her a loyal readership. Andrews also edited anthologies that showcased emerging American writers. She died in 1891, leaving a body of work that reflects the cultural landscape of post–Civil War America.

Born in 1876 into a wealthy Chicago family, Natalie Clifford Barney moved to Paris and became a central figure in literary salons. Her weekly gatherings attracted luminaries such as Marcel Proust, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce. An outspoken feminist and lesbian icon, she published poetry and plays that challenged social norms. Barney founded the literary magazine 'Les soirées de Paris' to promote avant-garde writers. Her salon fostered creative exchange and provided a platform for marginalized voices during the Belle Époque. She continued writing and hosting until her death in 1972, leaving an indelible mark on literary history.

Born in 1880 in Laurens County, South Carolina, Julia Peterkin lived among Gullah communities on rice plantations. Her intimate knowledge of Gullah culture inspired novels that offered rare insight into African American life. In 1929, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for 'Scarlet Sister Mary', becoming the first Southern woman to earn the honor. Peterkin's works blend lyrical prose with vivid character studies, challenging contemporary racial attitudes. She traveled extensively and lectured on her experiences, advocating for cultural understanding. Her legacy endures through her novels and the Julia Peterkin Society, which preserves her literary contributions.

Napoleon Lapathiotis was a seminal Greek poet and author who emerged as a leading voice of modernist literature in the early 20th century. His works often delved into themes of existential angst, eroticism, and the human psyche, challenging societal norms. He published his first collection at a young age and went on to produce celebrated volumes such as "Nekroi Pareligousin". Lapathiotis was associated with the Generation of 1930, influencing subsequent Greek writers. Despite his literary success, he faced personal struggles with depression and financial hardship. His death by suicide in 1944 cast a tragic shadow over his legacy, which continues to be studied and admired in Greek literary circles.

Constance Savery was an English author celebrated for her prolific output of children's books and novels for adults. Over her long career, she penned more than fifty titles spanning genres from historical fiction to fantasy. Her notable works include "Donkey at the Gate" and "Princess Belle-Étoile", blending imaginative storytelling with moral and spiritual themes. Savery often incorporated elements of Catholic faith and ethics into her narratives. She gained a dedicated readership for her engaging characters and lyrical prose. Living to the age of 102, she continued writing well into her later years, leaving a lasting legacy in early 20th-century literature.

Carlos Drummond de Andrade was one of Brazil's most influential 20th-century poets, whose work bridged modernist experimentation and popular appeal. Born in Minas Gerais, he published his first collection "Alguma Poesia" in 1930, signaling a fresh voice in Brazilian literature. His poems often explored themes of existential doubt, social issues, and the contrast between tradition and modernity. Drummond served as a civil servant in Rio de Janeiro while continuing to write prolifically. Collections like "Sentimento do Mundo" and "A Rosa do Povo" cemented his reputation for linguistic innovation and emotional depth. His legacy endures through translations, academic research, and celebration in Brazil's cultural institutions.

Dick Francis was born in 1920 and achieved prominence as a jockey, winning the British jockeys' championship in 1953 and claiming over 350 career victories. After retiring from racing, he published his first thriller, 'Dead Cert', in 1962, launching a prolific writing career. His novels featured intricate plots, authenticity from his racing background, and strong, proactive protagonists, earning him global acclaim. Francis wrote more than forty novels, many of which became bestsellers and were adapted for film and television. He remained active as an author until his death in 2010.