November 01

Georg Philipp Harsdörffer was a German Baroque poet and translator born in 1607. A prominent member of the Fruitbearing Society, he championed the development of the German literary language. His works, including the influential Poetischer Trichter (Poetic Funnel), provided guidance on poetic form and style. Harsdörffer translated classical and contemporary texts into German, making literature more accessible. His contributions left a lasting mark on 17th-century German letters before his death in 1658.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux was a French poet and critic born in 1636 who became a central figure of literary classicism. A close friend of Molière and Racine, he authored the Art poétique, which codified rules of French verse. His satirical epistles and epigrams combined wit with moral instruction. As the king’s historiographer, Boileau shaped tastes at Louis XIV’s court and influenced European letters. He died in 1711, leaving a lasting legacy in criticism and poetry.

John Strype was an English priest who dedicated much of his life to documenting the history of the Church of England. Born in London in 1643, he served in various parishes before turning to historical research. Strype is best known for his works "Ecclesiastical Memorials" and his expanded editions of John Foxe’s "Acts and Monuments." His meticulous records and biographies of key Reformation figures have become foundational resources for church historians. Strype’s scholarship preserved insight into 16th-century religious upheaval and continues to inform studies of the English Reformation. He died in 1737 after leaving behind a lasting legacy of ecclesiastical history.

Born in Chartres in 1661, Florent Carton Dancourt rose to fame at the court of Louis XIV as both a performer and dramatist. He enjoyed success at the Comédie-Française, where his witty comedies examined manners and social pretensions. Over his career he penned more than fifty plays, including notable works like "Les Bourgeoises" and "Le Chevalier à la mode." Dancourt’s sharp dialogue and colorful characters influenced French theater for decades. After a prolific career, he retired in 1712 and passed away in 1725, leaving behind a rich repertoire of early modern drama that continues to be studied for its insight into 17th-century French society.

Garlieb Helwig Merkel was born in 1769 in Courland (modern Latvia) to a Baltic German family. Educated in theology at the University of Königsberg, he became deeply concerned with the plight of the Latvian peasantry. His 1796 work "Die Letten" exposed abuses under the feudal system and sparked debate across Europe about serfdom. Merkel traveled extensively, writing travelogues and essays that combined literary flair with social reform. Though his calls for abolition of serfdom faced resistance, his writings influenced humanitarian movements in the Russian Empire. He lived his final years in Weimar, dying in 1850, and is remembered as a pioneering voice for human rights.

Born in 1871, Stephen Crane emerged as a significant American writer despite his short life. His 1895 novel "The Red Badge of Courage" is celebrated for its vivid psychological portrayal of a soldier in the Civil War. Crane's work spans poetry, journalism, novels, and short stories that explore urban hardship, human psychology, and social issues. He is noted for his innovative narrative techniques, naturalistic style, and unflinching realism. Crane died of tuberculosis at age 28, but his influential contributions shaped modern American literature.

Sholem Asch was born in 1880 in Poland and emigrated to the United States in 1906. He wrote novels, short stories, and plays that offered sympathetic and nuanced depictions of Jewish communities. Asch's most famous works include the "Nazarene Trilogy," which explores the historical figure of Jesus from a Jewish perspective. His career spanned Yiddish theater, English-language publications, and collaborations with major producers. Despite controversies and censorship, Asch left a rich legacy as a bridge between Jewish and broader literary cultures.

Grantland Rice was born in 1880 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He rose to prominence as a sportswriter whose vivid, poetic narration captured the imagination of millions of readers. His columns in the New York Tribune and other publications turned college football into a national spectacle. Rice is credited with coining iconic phrases such as the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. He also wrote several volumes of poetry that reflected his deep appreciation for athletic drama. Over his five-decade career, he covered legendary figures like Jim Thorpe and Babe Ruth. Rice's influence endures in the style and language of modern sports journalism.

Hermann Broch was born in 1886 in Vienna and trained in mathematics before turning to literature. His experience in World War I influenced his early poetic and short story works. Broch's most acclaimed work, the novel trilogy 'The Sleepwalkers', offers a profound exploration of moral collapse in early 20th-century Europe. He followed this with 'The Death of Virgil', an experimental masterpiece blending philosophical reflection and poetic language. After fleeing Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938, Broch settled in the United States and taught at Yale University. His writings bridged modernist aesthetics and social critique, earning him a reputation as a leading figure of 20th-century literature. He died in 1951, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual depth and stylistic innovation.

Sakutarō Hagiwara was born in 1886 in Niigata Prefecture and initially studied medicine before dedicating himself to poetry. In his landmark collection 'Tsuki ni Hoeru' (Howling at the Moon), he broke with traditional Japanese poetic forms through stark imagery and colloquial language. Hagiwara's works explored themes of existential angst and urban alienation, influencing generations of writers. He also wrote critical essays that helped introduce Western literary ideas to Japan. Despite suffering from mental health struggles throughout his life, Hagiwara continued to innovate and challenge poetic norms. His contributions earned him a central place in Japan's literary history. He passed away in 1942, leaving a lasting impact on modern Japanese literature.

Edmund Charles Blunden (1896–1974) was an English poet, author, and critic. He gained recognition for his vivid wartime poetry and memoirs documenting his experiences in World War I. His first major work, "Undertones of War," is considered a classic of war literature. Blunden's writing often juxtaposed the brutality of conflict with serene pastoral imagery. He also wrote literary criticism and translated Japanese poetry into English. Later in life, he taught at universities in Japan and the United States, mentoring young writers. His precise language and emotional honesty have left a lasting impact on 20th-century poetry.

Nordahl Grieg (1902–1943) was a Norwegian poet, author, playwright, and journalist known for his impassioned anti-fascist stance. He penned influential works such as the play "Nederlaget" and the poem "Til Ungdommen", rallying support for democratic ideals. Grieg reported from the front lines during World War II as a war correspondent embedded with Allied forces in Norway. Previously, he chronicled the Spanish Civil War in solidarity with Republican fighters. In 1943, Grieg died when his plane was shot down over Berlin, making him a wartime martyr. His courageous reporting and literary voice remain integral to Norway's cultural and historical memory.