November 21

Catharina Questiers was born in Amsterdam in 1631 and became one of the few prominent female poets of the Dutch Golden Age. Her lyrical poems, often exploring themes of love and morality, gained acclaim among contemporary literary circles. Questiers authored several comedies and pastoral plays that were performed in Amsterdam theaters. Known for her graceful style and keen wit, she translated Italian works and contributed to the cross-cultural exchange of ideas. As a trailblazer for women in literature, she corresponded with leading intellectuals of her time. Her works remain studied for their artistry and social insight.

Carlo Innocenzo Frugoni was born in 1692 in Genoa and rose to prominence as a poet and scholar in 18th-century Italy. He held professorships in rhetoric and eloquence, teaching at the University of Parma and attracting a circle of students and admirers. Frugoni's poetry blends classical motifs with contemporary themes, reflecting the Enlightenment's spirit of reason and refinement. He wrote odes, sonnets, and epistolary poems dedicated to patrons and intellectuals. A member of several European academies, he championed literary salons as spaces for cultural exchange. His works influenced subsequent Italian poets and secured his reputation as a leading man of letters.

Born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, Voltaire became the most prominent figure of the French Enlightenment. His sharp wit and satirical works, including Candide, challenged religious dogma and social injustices. A prolific writer, he penned plays, essays, poems, and historical works, influencing European thought on tolerance and freedom of expression. Voltaire's correspondence with monarchs and philosophers helped spread Enlightenment ideals across the continent. Exiled for his criticisms of authorities, he lived in England and later settled at his estate in Ferney, where he continued to publish. His advocacy for civil liberties, separation of church and state, and reform of the judicial system left a lasting legacy. Voltaire remains celebrated as a champion of reason and human rights.

Obstfelder's debut collection "Digte" (1893) broke with traditional poetic forms through its free verse and striking imagery. His exploration of themes like alienation and existential angst aligned him with the European Symbolist movement. In addition to poetry, he wrote essays and sketches that advocated for literary innovation in Norway. He struggled with mental illness, spending periods of his life in German sanatoria and abroad. Though he died young at 34, his experimental style paved the way for writers like Knut Hamsun and Rainer Maria Rilke. Obstfelder is often regarded as Norway's first true modernist writer.

Alexander Berkman was born in 1870 in the Lithuanian region of the Russian Empire.\nAfter emigrating to the United States, he became a leading anarchist thinker and orator.\nHe gained notoriety for his attempted assassination of industrialist Henry Clay Frick in support of striking workers.\nWhile imprisoned, he wrote influential works such as Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist.\nUpon release, he edited and contributed to the radical journal Mother Earth, shaping anarchist discourse.\nHe later moved to Europe, continued his activism, and documented his experiences in letters and essays.\nHe died in 1936, remembered as a fervent voice for social equality and direct action.

Olav Duun was born in 1876 on the Jæren Peninsula in Norway, where his peasant upbringing influenced his work.\nWriting in Nynorsk, he crafted novels and short stories that explored moral and social tensions.\nHis major works include the Juvikingar series and novels such as The People of Juvik, renowned for their emotional depth.\nAs an educator and librarian, he promoted literacy and cultural growth in rural communities.\nDuun's literary style combined naturalistic detail with psychological insight, earning critical acclaim.\nHe received the Melsom Prize for contributions to Nynorsk literature in 1934.\nHe died in 1939, leaving a lasting mark on Norwegian letters.

Harold Nicolson was born in 1886 and studied classics at Oxford University before joining the British Diplomatic Service.\nHe served in the Foreign Office and took part in the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I.\nNicolson authored acclaimed biographies of royalty and maintained extensive diaries that offer rich insights into 20th-century politics.\nHe entered Parliament as a Conservative in 1935 and later sat as a Labour MP, advocating for collective security and European cooperation.\nA passionate writer, he contributed to literary and political journals and hosted intellectual salons in London.\nHe died in 1968, leaving behind a body of work valued for its literary grace and historical importance.

Isaac Bashevis Singer was a prolific Polish-American writer best known for his Yiddish short stories and novels. Born in 1903 in Warsaw, he emigrated to the United States in 1935 amid rising tensions in Europe. Singer's work explored Jewish folklore, mysticism, and moral dilemmas within Eastern European communities. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978, he became the first laureate writing primarily in Yiddish. His notable works include "The Family Moskat", "Satan in Goray", and "The Slave". Singer continued writing until his death in 1991, publishing children's books and essays alongside fiction. His legacy endures through translations and adaptations that bring his rich narratives to global audiences.

Dame Georgina Battiscombe was a distinguished British biographer renowned for her works on Victorian personalities. Born in 1905 in Oxford, she studied at Somerville College, Oxford, before turning to writing. Her biographies include acclaimed studies of Charlotte Mary Yonge, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Florence Nightingale. Battiscombe's meticulous research and engaging narrative style brought historical figures to life. She was appointed DBE in 1990 for her services to literature and history. Until her death in 2006, she authored over a dozen biographies that remain essential reading for Victorian scholars.

Leo Politi was a beloved Italian-American writer and artist known for his children's books set in Los Angeles. Born in Fresno, California, in 1908 to Italian immigrant parents, he immersed himself in Mexican and Chicano culture. Politi's vibrant illustrations and lyrical storytelling appear in works like "Pedro, A Lion in the Streets". He won the Caldecott Medal in 1950 for "Song of the Swallows", highlighting nature and community. Politi taught art, hosted storytelling sessions, and exhibited paintings reflecting multicultural neighborhoods. Until his death in 1996, he authored over twenty books, leaving an enduring influence on children's literature.

Elizabeth George Speare (1908–1994) was a renowned American author of historical fiction for young readers. She won the Newbery Medal twice, first for The Witch of Blackbird Pond and later for The Bronze Bow. Her meticulous research and vivid storytelling brought colonial America and ancient Galilee to life. As an educator, she taught creative writing and inspired countless students. Speare's works are celebrated for their strong characters, historical accuracy, and moral depth, making them enduring classics in children's literature.

Christopher Tolkien was the youngest son of J.R.R. Tolkien and a distinguished scholar in his own right. After his father’s death, he dedicated his life to organizing, editing, and publishing The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and the 12-volume History of Middle-earth. His meticulous scholarship brought coherence to J.R.R. Tolkien’s vast manuscripts and expanded the world of Middle-earth for readers worldwide. Christopher served as Reader in English at Oxford University and as literary executor of his father’s estate. He also oversaw translations and adaptations of the works in multiple languages. His contributions steadily increased global appreciation for Tolkien’s legendarium. Christopher Tolkien’s editorial work shaped much of how the modern world understands Middle-earth lore.