History Home
Events     Birthdays     Deaths     Years

Add "Today in History" or "Today's Birthdays" to Your Site - it's Easy!

Wrote


2009 Frank McCourt, author, teacher, wrote Pulitzer-Prize winning book, 'Angela's Ashes', a memoir of his impoverished life in Ireland, dies at age 78 in Manhattan, New York

2009 Hugh Leonard, writer, winner, Jacob's Award, for 'Wuthering Heights', wrote Sunday Independent column 'The Curmudgeon', dies at age 82

2008 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, writer, won Nobel Prize, 1970, wrote 'The Gulag Archipelago', exiled in 1974, dies at 89

2007 Louis W. Ballard, Native American composer, author, artist, wrote 'Incident at Wounded Knee', dies of cancer in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at age 75

2006 Otto Zykan, composer, pianist, student, Vienna Music Academy, wrote operas 'Kunst kommt von Gonnen', 'Auszahlreim', dies in Sachsendorf, Austria

2006 Karin Struck, author, wrote women's literature, politically liberal, openly opposes abortion, converted to Catholicism, 1996 dies

2004 Gibson Kente, wrote about life in South African black townships, known as Father of Black Theater in South Africa, dies

2003 Adam Osborne, author, computer designer, book and software publisher, founded and wrote memoir about Osborne Computer Corporation

2002 Mickey Newbury, singer, member, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, wrote songs for Acuff-Rose Music, dies

2002 Mildred Wirt Benson, journalist/writer, wrote many early Nancy Drew books, dies at 96

2002 Barry Took, comedian, writer, television presenter on BBC program Points of View and BBC Radio 4 program The News Quiz, wrote comedy with Mary Feldman

2001 Anthony Storr, English author and psychiatrist, wrote 'Art of Psychotherapy' and 'Human Aggression', dies

1999 Lionel Bart, composer, songwriter, wrote pop music, musicals, created book, music and lyrics for Oliver!, dies at 68

1997 Brendan Gill, writer, film critic, author, wrote film critiques for Film Comment, wrote articles for The New Yorker, and a book about his time at The New Yorker magazine, dies at 83

1997 G. Harry Stine, writer, Also wrote as Lee Correy, dies at 69

1997 Leon Edel, biographer, literary critic, wrote biography of Henry James, won Pulitzer Prize, dies at 89

1997 Jeffrey Bernard, journalist, wrote column, 'Low Life', for The Spectator magazine, dies in Soho, England, after refusing dialysis treatment

1997 Paulo Freire, Brazilian educator, influential theorist of critical pedagogy, educator, author, studied philosophy, phe, nomenology, psychology of language, embraced a non-orthodox form of liberation theology, wrote 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed', dies from heart failure

1997 Michael Dorris, writer, scholar, first unmarried man to adopt child, Raynold Abel, wrote about Reynold in 'The Broken Cord', commits suicide in Concord, New Hampshire, at age 52

1997 Jurek Becker, writer, film author, German Democratic Republic dissident, survived ghetto in Lodz, wrote 'Jacob the Liar', dies in Sieseby, Germany

1997 Bohumil Hrabal, Czechoslovakian writer, storyteller, wrote hyper-realist texts, studied at Charles Univerisity in Prague, known for novels titled Closely Watched Trains and I Served the King of England, dies at 82

1997 Osvaldo Soriano, writer, journalist, staff writer for La Opinion, wrote, 'Triste, solitarity y final', or, Sad, lonely and final', dies at 54

1997 Richard Berry, musician, singer, songwriter, wrote, 'Louie Louie', sold copyright in 1959, song has since been recorded over 1,000 times, dies at 61

1996 Mohamed Amin, cameraman, photojournalist, known for photos of Ethiopian famine, fall of Idi Amin, wrote, 'Journey Through Pakistan', dies at 53

1996 Ray Coleman, born in Britain, journalist, author, wrote biographies of The Beatles while editor-in-chief, Melody Maker, music magazine, dies at 59

1996 Og Mandino, author, professional salesman, inspirational, best-selling author, wrote, 'The Greatest Salesman in the World', books have sold over 50 million copies in 25 different languages, president of Success Unlimited magazine

1996 Rio Reiser, born Ralph Christian Mobius, musician, singer, political activist, member of ton Steine Scherben, a famous rock group, wrote Rachhaussong supporting the squatter scene, dies at 46

1996 Claude Mauriac, writer, journalist, author, personal secretary to Charles de Gaulle1944 - 1949, co-scripted his father's novel titled Therese Desqueyroux, wrote study of Marcel Proust, dies at 81

1995 Rachid Mimouni, author, teacher at Ecole superieure du commerce, Algiers, wrote 'La Malediction', dies of hepatitis in Paris, France, at age 49

1995 Paul Monette, writer, wrote, 'Becoming a Man', wrote about gay relationships, taught writing, Milton Academy, dies of AIDS in Los Angeles, California at 49

1994 Denis Pitts, film-maker, journalist, novelist, wrote, 'This City is Ours', 'The Predator', dies at 64

1994 Karel Kryl, folk singer, songwriter, guitarist, wrote protest songs critical of the Communist regime, dies at 49

1993 Daniel Jones, Daniel Jenkyn Jones, Welsh composer, friend of Dylan Thomas, wrote 12 numbered symphonies, chamber music, made Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1968

1992 Vernon Howard, spiritual teacher, speaker, philosopher, author, wrote humor books, children's books, spoke and wrote about self-development, self-awareness, spiritual, psychological growth, dies

1991 Leonard C Odell, wrote 7,000 Burma Shave poems, dies at 83

1989 Hermann Burger, writer, essayist, novelist, poet, wrote 'Tractatus logico-suicidalis' 1988, advocating suicide, dies of suicide, from overdose of sleeping pills, in Brunegg, Switzerland

1986 Sydney J. Harris, journalist, wrote, syndicated column, 'Strictly Personal', wrote for Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, political positions placed him on the list of Nixon political opponents, wrote, 'The Authentic Person: Dealing with Dilemma', dies in Chicago, Illinois

1986 Paul Tournier, author, physician, famous Christian physician, pioneer of person-centered psychotherapy, wrote 'Medecine de la Personne', advocating we are more than our body, we are spiritual beings, dies from carcinoma, Troinex, Switzerland

1984 Rosser Reeves, advertising executive, television advertising pioneer, wrote, 'Reality in Advertising', created ads for Dwight Eisenhower's Presidential campaign, owned a 138.7 carat Star Ruby, dies

1982 Roy Webb, composer, arranger for over 200 films, Academy Award nominee, wrote fight song 'Roar, Lion, Roar', dies at 94

1979 Nicolas Born, writer, wrote, 'Die Falschung', 'Die erdabgewandte Seite der Gerschichte', dies at 41 in Luchow-Dannenberg

1979 Ludwig Renn, writer, fought in World War I on the Western Front, wrote, 'Krieg', member, Communist Party of Germany, dies at 90

1977 Tibor Dery, writer, wrote satire on Hungarian communist regime, primary work, 'The Unfinished Sentence', dies at 82

1977 Claire Goll, journalist, writer, poet, wrote 'Poemes d'amour', 'Poemes de la jalousie', dies at 86 in Paris, France

1977 William E. Vaughan, pseudonym Burton Hills, columnist, author, wrote for Kansas City Star newspaper 1946 - 1977, published articles in Better Homes and Gardens, Reader's Digest, often quoted and best-remembered for writing style employing folksy aphorisms, died age 61 from lung cancer

1976 Eugen Roth, songwriter, humorous poet, wrote, 'Ein Mensch' or 'Humans', won Munich art prize for literature, 1952, dies at 81 in Munich, Germany

1975 Maxwell Maltz, cosmetic surgeon, author, self-help pioneer, invented Psycho-Cybernetics, system to improve one's self-image, lead a better life, wrote, 'Psycho-Cybernetics', believes positive self-view key to achieving goals, dies

1975 Ivo Andric, writer, novelist, awarded Nobel Prize for Literature, wrote 'Bosnian Chronicle', 'The Bridge on the Drina', dies in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, at age 82

1973 Brigitte Reimann, born in Burg bei Madgeburg, East Berlin, writer, wrote 'Franziska Linkerhand' published posthumously, dies of cancer in East Berlin, at age 39

1972 Daisy Ashford, English witer, wrote 'The Young Sisters', dies

1969 Harry Emerson Fosdick, Baptist clergyman, studied at Colgate University, opposed racism, injustice, supported appeasement of Hitler, claimed democracies caused the rise of fascism, wrote "A Guide to Understanding the Bible', died in Bronxville, New York

1969 B. Traven, wrote, 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre', dies at 87

1969 Patton Oswalt, born in Portsmouth, Virginia, comedian, employs observational comedy, black comedy, surreal humor in his acts, wrote for MADtv, played Spence Olchin on 'The King of Queens' television show, voice of Remy in 'Ratatouille'

1967 Oskar Maria Graf, pseudonym Oskar Graf-Berg, writer, president, wrote autobiographical, socialist-anarchist novels, dies at 72 in New York

1965 Nicholas Sparks, born in Omaha, Nebraska, bestselling author, writer, novelist, wrote, 'A Walk to Remember', author of novels including, 'Nights in Rodanthe', 'The Last Song', 'The Notebook'

1963 Ringo admits he wrote a song "Don't Pass Me By"

1962 Mark Haddon, born in Northampton, England, novelist, poet, wrote, 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time', written from perspective of boy with Asperger syndrome

1960 Ernest Holmes, author, teacher, spiritualist, founded Religious Science movement, considered 'Science of Mind', part of New Thought movement, wrote metaphysical books, including 'The Science of Mind', founded 'Science of Mind' magazine, dies

1958 Nikki Sixx, born in San Jose, California, musician, songwriter, member, Motley Crue, plays hard rock, heavy metal genres, wrote, most successful album 'Dr. Feelgood'

1958 Sandy Lyle, born in Shrewsbury, professional golfer, represented Scotland, won The Open Championship at Sandwich, 1985, wrote book 'To The Fairway Born'

1958 Werner Schwab, born in Austria, writer, playwright, visual artist, studied sculpture at Vienna's Akademie der bildenden Kunste in 1990, wrote sixteen plays, produced eight, controversial works in the Austrian Black comedy tradition

1957 Leo Perutz, writer, wrote 11 novels, mathematician, emigrated to Palestine during Nazi Anschluss, 1938, dies in Bad Ischi, Austria

1956 Mark Handley, born in Hollywood, California, writer, screenwriter, playwright, married, lived in log cabin with his wife to live in isolation, wrote play Idioglossia, which became the film, Nell, starring Jodie Foster, 1994, directed by Michael Apted

1955 Steve Forbert, born in Meridian, Mississippi, singer, songwriter, wrote 1980 hit 'Romeo's Tune', compared to Bob Dylan

1955 Patrick McCabe, born in Clones, Ireland, novelist, wrote 'Butcher Boy', 'Breakfast on Pluto', both adapted into films by Neil Jordan

1955 Michael Pollan, born in Long Island, New York, professor of journalism, U of C, Berkeley, author, columnist, activist, wrote, 'The Omnivore's Dilemma', 'The Botany of Desire', 'In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto'

1954 Alex Cox, born in Bebington, Mereyside, England, screenwriter, film director, independent film producer, actor, author, directed film 'Repo Man', wrote book '10,000 Ways to Die'

1954 Anne Lamott, born in San Fransisco, California, author and activist, wrote 'Grace: Thoughts on Faith' and 'Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith'

1953 Debbie Steinbach, born in Fullerton, California, professional golfer, author, instructor, twelve-year LPGA Tour veteran, founder of Venus Golf, wrote, 'Venus on the Fairway', has provided over 5,000 individual golf lessons

1953 Lucinda Williams, born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, singer, songwriter, wrote Grammy-Award-winning song, 'Passionate Kisses', recorded by Mary Chapin Carpenter, successful album, 'Car Wheels on a Gravel Road', combined country, blues, rock, Americana genres

1952 Marianne Williamson, born in Houston, Texas, spiritual activist, author, speaker, lecturer, wrote, 'A Course in Miracles', a program about choosing love over fear, 'A Return to Love', breakthrough success attributed to appearance on Oprah Winfrey

1952 Andy Fraser, born in Paddington, West London, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, played bass for Free, composed "All Right Now", wrote hits for Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker

1951 Dean Pitchford, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, prolific songwriter, screenwriter, director, actor, novelist, Oscar, Golden Globe award-winner, wrote with composers Alan Menken, Rupert Holmes, collaborated on songs for movie, Fame, wrote screenplay for movie, 'Footloose'

1950 Glyn Ford, born in Gloucester, England, politician, author, Labor Party, member of Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party, Member of European Parliament for South West England, expert on Asia, wrote, 'North Korea on the Brink: Struggle for Survival'

1950 Rio Reiser, born in Berlin, Germany, born Ralph Christian Mobius, musician, singer, political activist, member of ton Steine Scherben, a famous rock group, wrote Rachhaussong supporting the squatter scene

1949 Mike Batt, born in Southampton, England, singer, composer, arranger, producer, helped created ecologically sensitive fictional creatures, The Wombles, wrote hit 'Bright Eyes'

1948 Bruce Vilanch, born in New York City, New York, comedy writer, appeared regularly with Whoopi Goldberg on Hollywood Squares, appeared in Bosom Buddies, Law & Order, wrote for show Billy Crystal, Academy Awards host

1948 Alfred Kerr, nickname, Culture Pope, writer, essayist, wrote, 'Die Harfe', dies at 80

1948 Diane Ackerman, born in Waukegan, Illinois, American poet, author and naturalist, wrote 'Wife of Light' and 'A Natural History of Love'

1948 Shakti Gawain, author, personal development expert, environmentalist, wrote series of successful books, including 'Creative Visualization' and 'Creating True Prosperity', books have sold over 10 million copies, co-founder, New World Library Publishing Company

1948 Charles Fillmore, born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, mystic, co-founder, Unity, a New Thought movement church, created metaphysical interpretations of the Bible, promoted idea that God is good, God is available, God is in you, wrote, 'The Twelve Powers of Man', dies

1947 Dave Barry, born in Armonk, New York, humorist, author, Pulitzer-prize winner for Commentary 1988, wrote columns for the Miami Herald, books include 'Big Trouble', 'Dave Barry Turns 40', Dave Barry's Greatest Hits', 'Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys', style capitalizes on absurdities

1947 Karin Struck, born in Germany, author, wrote women's literature, politically liberal, openly opposes abortion, converted to Catholicism, 1996

1947 John C. Maxwell, born in Garden City, Michigan, evangelical Christian, author, pastor, speaker, leadership expert, wrote over 50 books on leadership, sold over 13 million copies including 'Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow'

1946 Dan Millman, born in America, author, wrote, published 14 self-help books focusing on human potential, wrote 'The Life You Were Born to Live'

1945 Rachid Mimouni, born in Boudouaou, Algeria, author, teacher at Ecole superieure du commerce, Algiers, wrote 'La Malediction'

1945 Paul Monette, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, writer, wrote, 'Becoming a Man', wrote about gay relationships, taught writing, Milton Academy

1945 Jose Feliciano, born in Lares, Puerto Rico, singer, blind due to congenital glaucoma, guitarist, composer, wrote international hits

1945 Barry Schrader, born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, composer, electro-acoustic genre, wrote, 'Introducton to Electro-Acoustic Music'

1945 Bruno Frank, born in Stuttgart, Germany, writer, dramatist, novelist, wrote 'Trenchk', 'The Days of the King', dies at 58 in Beverly Hills, California

1945 Ole Buck, born in Copenhagen, Denmark, composer, pianist, wrote Calligraphy for soprano and chamber orchestra at the age of 20

1945 Michael Dorris, born in Louisville, Kentucky, writer, scholar, first unmarried man to adopt child, Raynold Abel, wrote about Reynold in 'The Broken Cord'

1945 Clarissa Pinkola Estes, born in Indiana, writer, psychologist, certified Jungian psychoanalyst, poet, author, wrote bestseller, 'Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype'

1944 Jonathan King, born in London, England, Kenneth George King, singer, songwriter, pop music producer, wrote song 'Everyone's Gone to the Moon', successful writer, producer for other musical artists

1944 Albert Hammond, born in London, England, rocker, musician, songwriter, producer, collaborated with Mike Hazelwood on The Air That I Breathe for the Hollies, wrote hits for Tina Turner

1944 Karel Kryl, born in Kromenz, Czechoslovakia, folk singer, songwriter, guitarist, wrote protest songs critical of the Communist regime

1944 Christoph Hein, born in Bad Duben, Germany, writer, prize-winning author, translator, studied philosophy, wrote 1982 novella The Distant Lover

1943 Neale Donald Walsch, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, author, wrote series of books titled, 'Conversations With God', which include, 'What God Wants', 'Happier than God', 'Friendship with God', ' Communion with God'

1943 Mohamed Amin, born in Kenya, cameraman, photojournalist, known for photos of Ethiopian famine, fall of Idi Amin, wrote, 'Journey Through Pakistan'

1943 Osvaldo Soriano, born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, writer, journalist, staff writer for La Opinion, wrote, 'Triste, solitarity y final', or, Sad, lonely and final'

1942 Gunter Wallraff, born in Burscheid, Germany, writer, undercover journalist, wrote on tabloid journalism, lower working class conditions

1942 Isabel Allende, born in Lima, Peru, writer, novelist, of Spanish and Portuguese descent, wrote 'The House of Spirits', 'City of the Beasts'

1942 Hermann Burger, born in Burg, Switzerland, writer, essayist, novelist, poet, wrote 'Tractatus logico-suicidalis' 1988, advocating suicide

1942 Ama Ata Aidoo, born in Saltpond, Ghana, Ghanaian author and playwright, wrote 'The Dilemma of a Ghost'

1942 John Irving, born in New Hampshire, short-story writer, wrote World According to Garp

1942 Petr Kotik, born in Prague, Czech Republic, composer, flutist, minimalist style, founder, S.E.M. ensemble, wrote opera, 'Many Many Women'

1941 Imants Kalnins, born in Riga, Latvia, composer, wrote six symphonies, first composer of intellectual rock music, Latvia's most important composer

1941 George Will, born in Champaign, Illinois, journalist, author, wrote, editor, National Review magazine 1972 - 1978, awarded Pulitzer Prize for Commentary

1941 Ivana Loudova, born in Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Czech Republic, composer, wrote chamber, orchestral, children's choral works, including 'Little Christmas Cantata'

1940 Florence Scovel Shinn, artist, book illustrator, metaphysical writer, wrote, 'The Game of Life and how to Play it", 1925, writings follow thought principles of Emma Curtis Hopkins, Myrtle Fillmore, Phineas Quimby, Charles Fillmore, dies

1940 W. H. Davies, Wales, poet, writer, related to actor, Sir Henry Irving, cared for by paternal grandparents, wrote, 'The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp', dies

1940 Jackie Trent, born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, England, singer, actress, songwriter, wrote famous theme tune for TV soap, 'Neighbours'

1940 Mickey Newbury, born in Houston, Texas, singer, member, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, wrote songs for Acuff-Rose Music

1939 Bob James, born in Marshall, Missouri, rocker, smooth jazz, fusion, arranger, producer, wrote "Nautilus" and "Take Me To Mardi Gras", two of the most sampled songs in hip hop history

1939 Tom Johnson, born in Greely, Colorado, composer, minimalist style, new music critic for the Village Voice, wrote music based on tiling, involving mathematical and logical processes

1939 Phillip Ramey, born in Elmhurst, Illinois, pianist, composer, associated with Aaron Copeland, wrote, 'Irving Fine: An American Composer in His Time'

1939 Ken Blanchard, born in Orange, New Jersey, author, professional speaker, management expert, co-wrote, 'The One Minute Manager' with Spencer Johnson, sold over 13 million copies in 37 languages, wrote more than 30 successful books

1939 Volker Braun, born in Dresden, German, writer, poet, playwright, wrote 'Das ungezwungne Leben Kasts' or 'The Unrestrained Life of Kast'

1939 John McCabe, born in Huyton, England, composer, pianist, wrote thirteen symphonies by age 11, composed Notturni ed Alba in 1970, ballets, string quartets, piano music, known for his concerti

1939 Seamus Heaney, born in Ireland, poet, writer, poetry professor at the University of Oxford, Nobel Prize in Literature recipient, wrote play The Cure at Troy, Seeing Things, The Spirit Level, Beowulf: A New Translation

1939 Adam Osborne, born in Thailand, author, computer designer, book and software publisher, founded and wrote memoir about Osborne Computer Corporation

1938 David Borden, born in Boston, Massachusetts, composer, minimalist music, jazz pianist, founded Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Company, the world's first synthesizer ensemble, wrote vocal, chamber ensemble, music, style similar to Phillip Glass, Terry Riley

1937 Nicolas Born, born in Duisburg, Germany, writer, wrote, 'Die Falschung', 'Die erdabgewandte Seite der Gerschichte'

1937 Edwin Roxburgh, born in England, composer, principal oboist, Sadler's Wells Opera, wrote, Manuhin Music Guide

1937 Jurek Becker, born in Lodz, Poland, writer, film author, German Democratic Republic dissident, survived ghetto in Lodz, wrote 'Jacob the Liar'

1937 Ray Coleman, born in Britain, journalist, author, wrote biographies of The Beatles while editor-in-chief, Melody Maker, music magazine

1937 Jimmy Jones, born in Birmingham, Alabama, African-American rocker, singer, songwriter, performed with doo-wop group The Berliners, wrote 'Handy Man' recorded by the Sparks of Rhythm

1937 Paul Bailey, born in England, novelist, George Orewell prize-winner, lecturer at North Dakota State University, writer in residence, Kingston University, wrote At The Jerusalem, radio and television plays, and non-fiction books

1936 Wolf Biermann, born in Hamburg, Germany, singer, songwriter, former East German dissident, wrote folk music, political ballads, studied political economics at Humboldt University of Berlin

1936 Lars Gustafsson, born in Vasteras, Sweden, professor, University of Texas at Austin, author, wrote 'The Death of a Beekeeper'

1936 Ian Hacking, born in Vancouver, British Columbia, analytic philosopher, wrote, 'The Emergence of Probability', brings historical approach to the philosophy of science, won Canda's Killam Prize for the Humanities in 2002

1935 Lubos Fiser, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, composer, wrote soundtracks, chamber music, studied at AMU, Prague Conservatory

1935 Michael Holroyd, born in London, England, author, biographer, wrote biographies of George Bernard Shaw, Augustus John

1935 Charles Shere, born in Berkeley, California, composer, music critic, Music Director for radio KPFA, Berkeley, wrote book, 'How I Saw Duchamp'

1935 Charles Shere, composer, music critic, Music Director for radio KPFA, Berkeley, wrote book, 'How I Saw Duchamp', dies

1935 Otto Zykan, born in Vienna, Austria, composer, pianist, student, Vienna Music Academy, wrote operas 'Kunst kommt von Gonnen', 'Auszahlreim'

1935 Richard Berry, born in Extension, Louisiana, musician, singer, songwriter, wrote, 'Louie Louie', sold copyright in 1959, song has since been recorded over 1,000 times

1935 Peter Bichsel, born in Lucerne, Switzerland, writer, journalist, wrote 'And Really Frau Blum Would Very Much Like to Meet the Milkman', member of the Gruppe Olten, a club of Swiss writers

1935 Hubert Fichte, born in Germany, writer, columnist for magazine konkret, novelist, influenced by Marcel Proust, Hans henny Jahnn, Jean Genet, wrote novel Die Geschichte der Empfindlichkeit, translated as the history of sensibility

1935 Tony Campolo, born in America, pastor, speaker, author, promotes evangelical reform, leader, 'Red Letter Christian' movement, focusing on Christ's teachings, wrote, 'A Reasonable Faith', known for famous sermon, 'It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming!'

1935 Bent Lorentzen, born in Stenvad, Denmark, prolific composer, dramatist, wrote 18 operas to date, compared to Richard Vagner

1935 Richard Brautigan, born in Tacoma, Washington, writer, novelist, wrote Trout Fishing in America, known for black comedy, parody, satire, and Zen Buddhism

1934 Lionel Bart, born in Stepney, England, composer, songwriter, wrote pop music, musicals, created book, music and lyrics for Oliver!

1934 Uwe Johnson, born in Pomerania, Poland, writer, scholar, editor, wrote fiction, won International Publishers' Formentor Prize

1934 Adolf Muschg, born in Zollikon, canton of Zurich, writer, German language and literature professor, wrote provocative works, including If Auschwitz is in Switzerland

1934 David Halberstam, born in New York City, journalist, author, Pulitzer Prize winner, wrote about the Vietnam War

1933 Eric Salzman, born in America, author, composer, record producer, music critic, wrote for the New York Times, New York Herald Tribune

1933 Brigitte Reimann, born in Burg bei Madgeburg, East Berlin, writer, wrote 'Franziska Linkerhand' published posthumously

1933 John Bradshaw, born in Houston, Texas, educator, speaker, author, popularized dysfunctional family, wrote 'Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child'

1933 Henry Van Dyke, clergyman, educator, author, wrote poetry, hymns, essays, co-wrote first Presbyterian printed liturgy, 'The Common Book of Worship of 1906', served as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg, dies

1933 Wilson Mizner, playwright, entrepreneur, raconteur, wrote, 'The Deep Purple', 'The Greyhound', opium addict, boxing manager, hotel manager, managed restaurant The Brown Derby, with brother, Addison Mizner, dies

1932 Igor Stuhec, born in Slovenia, composer, studied under Hanns Jelinek at Vienna Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, wrote orchestral works applying textural techniques, and two operas

1932 Jaan Raats, born in Tartu, Estonia, composer, composed Estonian language films, wrote 'Aeg elada aeg armastada'

1932 Gibson Kente, born in South Africa, wrote about life in South African black townships, known as Father of Black Theater in South Africa

1932 Jeffrey Bernard, born in London, England, journalist, wrote column, 'Low Life', for The Spectator magazine

1932 Hugo Kaun, music teacher, conductor, composer, wrote Romantic style operas, symphonies, organ, piano works, dies at 69 in Berlin, Germany

1931 Hikaru Hayashi, born in Tokyo, Japan, composer, conductor, pianist, wrote more than 30 operas, over 100 film scores, authored more than 20 books

1931 Louis W. Ballard, born in Cherokee, Quapaw, Native American composer, author, artist, wrote 'Incident at Wounded Knee'

1931 Leslie Thomas, born in Newport, Wales, author, published 'In My Wildest Dreams', recounting childhood in South Wales, in early life, wrote columns for London Evening News newspaper

1931 Tom Wolfe, Richmond Virginia, journalist and author, wrote The Right Stuff

1931 Ib Norholm, born in Soborg, Copenhagen, Danish organist, composer, won Carl Nielsen Prize, 1971, wrote opera, 'The Young Park'

1930 Frank McCourt, born in Brooklyn, New York, author, teacher, wrote Pulitzer-Prize winning book, 'Angela's Ashes', a memoir of his impoverished life in Ireland

1930 Eino Tamberg, born in Estonia, composer, neoclassical Estonian music, teacher, Estonian Academy of Music, wrote ballet, 'Johanna tentate'

1930 Amelia Rosselli, born in Paris, France, poet, of Italian origin, daughter of political activist Carlo Rosselli, worked in Italy as a poet and literary translator, wrote prose in English, French and Italian, major work, 'Spazi metrici'

1930 Alois Jirasek, writer, taught secondary school, wrote plays, historical novels, including, 'Against Everyone', dies in Prague, Czechoslovakia

1930 Gerry Davis, born in England, science-fiction writer, wrote British television soap operas Coronation Street and United!, script editor for Doctor Who

1930 Liz Anderson, born in Roseau, Minnesota, country music singer, songwriter, Grammy Award nominee, wrote hits for Merle Haggard

1930 Denis Pitts, film-maker, journalist, novelist, wrote, 'This City is Ours', 'The Predator'

1929 Arno Holz, poet, dramatist, freelance writer, wrote book of poetry 'Phantaesus', dies at 66

1929 Tristan Jones, born in Liverpool, England, sailor, author, Welsh story teller, wrote about sailing in books and articles

1929 John Naisbitt, born in Salt Lake City, Utah, author, public speaker, futures studies, wrote, 'Megatrends', 1982, sold over 9 million copies in 57 countries, special assistant to Lyndon B. Johnson

1928 Barry Took, born in Muswell Hill, North London, England, comedian, writer, television presenter on BBC program Points of View and BBC Radio 4 program The News Quiz, wrote comedy with Mary Feldman

1927 Dieter Noll, born in Riesa, Germany, writer, wrote two-volume novel Die Abenteuer des Werner Holt, over two million copies sold, volume one used as East German school curriculum

1927 Ole Olsen, composer, organist, teacher, wrote opera 'Stig Hvide', wrote Symphony in G major, dies at 77 in Oslo, Norway

1927 Tom Bosley, Chicago, actor, Howard-Happy Days, Murder She Wrote

1927 Boris Porena, born in Rome, Italy, Italian composer, didactical expert, studied under Goffredo Petrassi, influenced by neoclassical poetics, wrote texts about music including Musica-Societa which includes social and political analysis

1927 Robert Orben, magician, comedy writer, author, specializes in observational comedy, wrote, 'Encyclopedia of Patter', 'Speaker's Handbook of Humor', speechwriter for Vice President Gerald R. Ford, became Director, White House Speechwriting Department

1926 Rainer Maria Rilke, poet, wrote, 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge', 'Letters to a Young Poet', dies at 51

1926 Hugh Leonard, born in Dublin, Ireland, writer, winner, Jacob's Award, for 'Wuthering Heights', wrote Sunday Independent column 'The Curmudgeon'

1926 Betsy Jolas, born in Paris, France, composer, studied at the Conservatoire national superieur de Musique, wrote vocal music, works recorded on EMI, Erato, performed by London Sinfonietta

1926 Anatol Vieru, born in Romania, composer, music theoretician, studied with Aram Khachaturian, wrote symphonies, string quartets, concertos, chamber music, leading Romanian composer of the 20th century

1926 Richard DeVos, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, World War II veteran, businessman, author, billionaire, co-founder Amway - now Alticor, owner Orlando Magic, wrote 'Hope from My Heart: Ten Lessons For Life'

1925 Art Buchwald, born in New York City, wrote political satire and commentary, had column in The Washington Post

1925 Angela Lansbury, born in London, England, actress, Jessica-Murder She Wrote

1924 Klaus Huber, born in Bern, Switzerland, composer, wrote music for chamber ensembles orchestra, choirs, soloists, politically conscious composer, received Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, 2009

1924 Jose Donoso, born in Chile, writer, born Jose Donoso Yanez, part of Latin American literary boom, Magical Realism literary movement, wrote Coronacion, El lugar sin limites (The Place Without Limits)

1924 Lloyd Alexander, born in Pennsylvania, American author, wrote children's fantasy novels, 'Cricket' magazine creator

1923 Og Mandino, born in Italy, author, professional salesman, inspirational, best-selling author, wrote, 'The Greatest Salesman in the World', books have sold over 50 million copies in 25 different languages, president of Success Unlimited magazine

1923 William Windom, New York City, actor, Farmer's Daughter, Murder She Wrote

1923 Tom Blackburn, born in Raton, New Mexico, writer, author, screenwriter, lyricist, worked for Walt Disney's story department, wrote lyrics to The Ballad of Davy Crockett

1923 Henryk Czyz, born in Grudziadz, Poland, composer, wrote contemporary music, performed in Europe, America and South America

1923 Samuel Selvon, born in Trinidad, author, writer-in-residence, University of Calgary, Canada, wrote 'The Lonely Londoners', focusing on West Indians' immigration to Britain, cultural differences

1923 Norman Mailer, born in New Jersey, American novelist, poet, playwright, film director, wrote 40 books and 11 novels

1923 Eva Zeller, born in Germany, poet, writer, novelist, wrote Lampenfieber, Hauptfrau, Fliehkraft, Auf dem Wasser gehen

1922 Kurt Vonnegut, born in Indiana, novelist, essayist, satirist, wrote 'Slaughterhouse Five'

1922 Sadao Bekku, born in Tokyo, Japan, composer, classical music, wrote symphonies, film scores, sonata for flute, choral works, art songs, piano concerto, opera titled Prince Arima

1921 Paulo Freire, born in Recife, Brazil, Brazilian educator, influential theorist of critical pedagogy, educator, author, studied philosophy, phenomenology, psychology of language, embraced a non-orthodox form of liberation theology, wrote 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed'

1921 Ernest Gold, born in Vienna, Austria, Ernst Gold, composer, wrote nearly 100 film and television scores, including It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, On the Beach, four Academy-Award nominations, three Golden Globe nominations

1921 Kan Ishii, born in Tokyo, Japan, composer, famous for Symphonia Ainu, inspired by national primitivism, wrote orchestral and vocal music for film and stage, including music for science-fiction film Gorath

1921 Mary Douglas, born in San Remo, Italy, British anthropologist, wrote about symbolism, human culture

1921 Alfred Reed, born in New York, New York, composer, wrote over 200 works for orchestra, chorus, concert band, chamber ensemble, wind ensemble, guest conductor, performing in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America

1920 Vaino Linna, born in Urjala, Finland, author, wrote Finnish books, Under the North Star translated into English by Richard Impola

1920 Anthony Storr, born in London, England, English author and psychiatrist, wrote 'Art of Psychotherapy' and 'Human Aggression'

1920 Alex Comfort, born in England, physician, poet, novelist, anarchist, pacifist, wrote "The Joy of Sex", a scholarly approach to sexual behavior

1919 Richard Mason, born near Manchester, England, author, learned Japanese in World War II, interrogated prisoners of war, wrote 'The Wind Cannot Read', 'The Fever Tree', 'The World of Suzie Wong'

1919 Amelia Barr, writer, novelist, wrote for religious periodicals, novels include 'The Lone House', 'Shela Vedder', dies

1918 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, born in Kislovodsk, Russia, Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, writer, won Nobel Prize, 1970, wrote 'The Gulag Archipelago', exiled in 1974

1918 Vernon Howard, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, spiritual teacher, speaker, philosopher, author, wrote humor books, children's books, spoke and wrote about self-development, self-awareness, spiritual, psychological growth

1917 Arthur C. Clarke, born in Somerset, England, science fiction author, inventor, wrote '2001: A Space Odyssey'

1917 Oswald Chambers, Scottish Protestant Christian minister, teacher, author, wrote, 'My Utmost for His Highest', established local society dedicated to his favorite poet, Robert Browning, dies from a ruptured appendix

1917 Sydney J. Harris, born in London, England, journalist, wrote, syndicated column, 'Strictly Personal', wrote for Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, political positions placed him on the list of Nixon political opponents, wrote, 'The Authentic Person: Dealing with Dilemma'

1917 Els Aarne, born in Ukraine, Estonian composer, pianist, composed chamber music for violoncello and double bass, wrote two symphonies, studied with composer Heino Eller

1917 Jane Bowles, born in New York, New York, writer, playwright, wrote 'Two Serious Ladies', 'In The Summer House', works admired by Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, John Ashbery

1916 Unica Zurn, born in Berlin, Germany, author, painter, wrote anagram poems and held automatic drawing exhibitions

1915 William E. Vaughan, born in St. Louis, Missouri, pseudonym Burton Hills, columnist, author, wrote for Kansas City Star newspaper 1946 - 1977, published articles in Better Homes and Gardens, Reader's Digest, often quoted and best-remembered for writing style employing folksy aphorisms

1915 William Goyen, born in Trinity, Texas, writer, storyteller, married actress Doris Roberts, wrote The House of Breath, The Fair Sister, Wonderful Plant

1915 Ray Evans, born in New York, lyricist, composer, Oscar-winner, worked with Jay Livingston, wrote "Mona Lisa"

1914 Ivan Zajc, conductor, composer, opened doors for 20th century achievements in Croatian music, wrote opera, La Tirolese, 1855, dies at 82 in Zagreb, Croatia

1914 Brendan Gill, born in Hartford, Connecticut, writer, film critic, author, wrote film critiques for Film Comment, wrote articles for The New Yorker, and a book about his time at The New Yorker magazine

1914 Claude Mauriac, born in France, writer, journalist, author, personal secretary to Charles de Gaulle1944 - 1949, co-scripted his father's novel titled Therese Desqueyroux, wrote study of Marcel Proust

1914 Bohumil Hrabal, born in Brno-Zidenice, Moravia, Czechoslovakian writer, storyteller, wrote hyper-realist texts, studied at Charles Univerisity in Prague, known for novels titled Closely Watched Trains and I Served the King of England

1913 Jo Sinclair, born in Brooklyn, New York, pen name Jo Sinlair, writer, novelist, focused on race relations and the struggle of immigrant families, wrote Sing at My Wake, Anna Teller

1913 Gyula David, born in Hungary, composer, violinist, conductor, studied at the Liszt academy, conducted for the National Theatre 1945 - 1949, wrote folk song music and 12 tone serial music

1913 Mary Durack, born in Adelaide, Australia, poet, author, historian, wrote Kings in Grass Castles and Keep Him My Country

1912 Jura Soyfer, born in Kharkov, Ukraine, writer, political journalist, imprisoned at Dachau concentration camp, wrote the Dachau song with composer Herbert Zipper

1912 Daniel Jones, born in Pembroke, Wales, Daniel Jenkyn Jones, Welsh composer, friend of Dylan Thomas, wrote 12 numbered symphonies, chamber music, made Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1968

1912 Mascha Kaleko, born in Chrzanow, Austria, now Poland, writer, German language poet, first book 'Lyrisches Stenogrammheft' was burned in Nazi book burnings, wrote advertising copy while living in New York

1912 Louis Boon, born in Aalst, Belgium, born Lodewijk Paul Aalbrecht Boon, writer, journalist, novelist, wrote historical novels, modernist work Vergeten straat

1912 Georg Heym, poet, writer, wrote, 'Der ewige Tag', poetry considered early Expressionist style, dies at 24 from falling through the ice, trying to save a friend

1912 Felix Dahn, writer, wrote 'Prehistory of the Germanic and Roman Peoples', dies at 77

1910 Rosser Reeves, born in Danville, Virginia, advertising executive, television advertising pioneer, wrote, 'Reality in Advertising', created ads for Dwight Eisenhower's Presidential campaign, owned a 138.7 carat Star Ruby

1909 Bukka White, born in Houston, Mississippi, Booker T. Washington White, gave cousin B.B. King his first guitar, celebrated as National steel guitarist, wrote "Parchman Farm Blues"

1909 Hilde Domin, born in Cologne, Germany, lyric poet, writer, German-language poet, wrote Das zweite Paradies (The Second Paradise), volume of prose

1909 Arnold Shaw, born in America, composer, songwriter, music business executive for Leeds Music Corporation, later MCA, wrote book on Harry Belafonte, series on 20th century American music

1907 Leon Edel, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, biographer, literary critic, wrote biography of Henry James, won Pulitzer Prize, wrote on James Joyce, taught literature at Sir George Williams University, now Concordia University

1907 Gene Gutche, born in Berlin, Germany, Romeo Maximillian Eugene Ludwig Gutsche, composer, studied business, economics, piano with Ferruccio Busoni, wrote neo-Romantic work, experimented with polytonality, microtones, serialism

1906 Belle Stewart, born near Bloirgowrie, Scotland, Scottish traditional singer, led life of a Scottish Traveler, daughter Sheila Stewart wrote her biography 'Queen Amang the Heather; the Life of Belle Stewart'

1901 Stefan Lorant, born in Budapest, Hungary, writer, Hungarian-American filmmaker, photojournalist, made fourteen films in Vienna and Berlin, opposed to Adolph Hitler, imprisoned, wrote memoir 'I was Hitler's Prisoner'

1900 Hans Haug, born in Switzerland, composer, primitivist style, wrote solo guitar piece, Preludio, Tiento et Toccata

1899 Maxwell Maltz, born in America, cosmetic surgeon, author, self-help pioneer, invented Psycho-Cybernetics, system to improve one's self-image, lead a better life, wrote, 'Psycho-Cybernetics', believes positive self-view key to achieving goals

1898 Paul Tournier, born in Geneva, Switzerland, author, physician, famous Christian physician, pioneer of person-centered psychotherapy, wrote 'Medecine de la Personne', advocating we are more than our body, we are spiritual beings

1895 Eugen Roth, born in Munich, Germany, songwriter, humorous poet, wrote, 'Ein Mensch' or 'Humans', won Munich art prize for literature, 1952

1894 Tibor Dery, born in Budapest, Hungary, writer, wrote satire on Hungarian communist regime, primary work, 'The Unfinished Sentence'

1894 Oskar Maria Graf, born in Berg, Germany, pseudonym Oskar Graf-Berg, writer, president, wrote autobiographical, socialist-anarchist novels

1892 Ivo Andric, born in Dolac, Bosnia, writer, novelist, awarded Nobel Prize for Literature, wrote 'Bosnian Chronicle', 'The Bridge on the Drina'

1892 Ernst van Raalte, lawyer, Seen, heard... wrote

1890 Claire Goll, born in Nuremberg, Germany, journalist, writer, poet, wrote 'Poemes d'amour', 'Poemes de la jalousie'

1890 B. Traven, born in Chicago, writer, wrote, 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre'

1889 Charles Mackay, poet, writer, journalist, songwriter, wrote for the Morning Chronicle, Illustrated London News, wrote book 'Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds', 1841, wrote popular song 'Cheer, Boys, Cheer', dies

1889 Ludwig Renn, born in Dresden, Germany, writer, fought in World War I on the Western Front, wrote, 'Krieg', member, Communist Party of Germany

1888 Roy Webb, born in New York City, New York, composer, arranger for over 200 films, Academy Award nominee, wrote fight song 'Roar, Lion, Roar'

1887 Georg Heym, born in Hirschberg, Germany, poet, writer, wrote, 'Der ewige Tag', poetry considered early Expressionist style

1887 Bruno Frank, born in Stuttgart, Germany, writer, dramatist, novelist, wrote 'Trenchk', 'The Days of the King'

1887 Ernest Holmes, born in Lincoln, Maine, author, teacher, spiritualist, founded Religious Science movement, considered 'Science of Mind', part of New Thought movement, wrote metaphysical books, including 'The Science of Mind', founded 'Science of Mind' magazine

1882 Leo Perutz, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, writer, wrote 11 novels, mathematician, emigrated to Palestine during Nazi Anschluss, 1938

1881 Daisy Ashford, born in Petersham, England, English witer, wrote 'The Young Sisters'

1880 John Goss, composer, organist, wrote hymn 'Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven', dies at 79

1878 Harry Emerson Fosdick, born in Buffalo, New York, Baptist clergyman, studied at Colgate University, opposed racism, injustice, supported appeasement of Hitler, claimed democracies caused the rise of fascism, wrote "A Guide to Understanding the Bible'

1876 Wilson Mizner, born in Benicia, California, playwright, entrepreneur, raconteur, wrote, 'The Deep Purple', 'The Greyhound', opium addict, boxing manager, hotel manager, managed restaurant The Brown Derby, with brother, Addison Mizner

1875 Rainer Maria Rilke, born in Prague, Austria-Hungary, poet, wrote, 'The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge', 'Letters to a Young Poet'

1874 Oswald Chambers born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Scottish Protestant Christian minister, teacher, author, wrote, 'My Utmost for His Highest', established local society dedicated to his favorite poet, Robert Browning

1871 Florence Scovel Shinn, born in New Jersey, artist, book illustrator, metaphysical writer, wrote, 'The Game of Life and how to Play it", 1925, writings follow thought principles of Emma Curtis Hopkins, Myrtle Fillmore, Phineas Quimby, Charles Fillmore

1871 W. H. Davies, born in Newport, Monmouthsire, Wales, poet, writer, related to actor, Sir Henry Irving, cared for by paternal grandparents, wrote, 'The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp'

1867 Alfred Kerr, born in Breslau, Silesia, nickname, Culture Pope, writer, essayist, wrote, 'Die Harfe'

1863 Frederick William Faber, theologian, wrote 'Faith of Our Fathers', 'My God, how wonderful thou art', 'Oh, gift of gifts', founded religious community in Cotton Hall, Birmingham, dies

1863 Arno Holz, born in Germany, poet, dramatist, freelance writer, wrote book of poetry 'Phantaesus'

1863 Hugo Kaun, born in Berlin, Germany, music teacher, conductor, composer, wrote Romantic style operas, symphonies, organ, piano works

1854 Charles Fillmore, born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, mystic, co-founder, Unity, a New Thought movement church, created metaphysical interpretations of the Bible, promoted idea that God is good, God is available, God is in you, wrote, 'The Twelve Powers of Man'

1852 Henry Van Dyke, clergyman, educator, author, wrote poetry, hymns, essays, co-wrote first Presbyterian printed liturgy, 'The Common Book of Worship of 1906', served as U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg

1851 Alois Jirasek, born in Czechoslovakia, writer, taught secondary school, wrote plays, historical novels, including, 'Against Everyone'

1850 Ole Olsen, born in Hammerfest, Norway, composer, organist, teacher, wrote opera 'Stig Hvide', wrote Symphony in G major

1834 Felix Dahn, born in Hamburg, Germany, writer, wrote 'Prehistory of the Germanic and Roman Peoples'

1832 Ivan Zajc, born in Rijeka, Croatia, conductor, composer, opened doors for 20th century achievements in Croatian music, wrote opera, La Tirolese, 1855

1831 Amelia Barr, born in Ulverston, England, writer, novelist, wrote for religious periodicals, novels include 'The Lone House', 'Shela Vedder'

1826 Johann Peter Hebel, writer, teacher, most widely read German poet, author, wrote in Alemanic dialect, dies in Schwetzingen, Germany, at age 66

1825 Jean Paul, born Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, Romantic, wrote 'Quintus Fixlein', 'Schmelzles Reise', dies at 62, in Bayreuth, Germany

1825 Amos Bull, composer, wrote book of hymns 'The Responsary', used in New England churches, dies at 81

1814 Frederick William Faber, born in Calverley, England, theologian, wrote 'Faith of Our Fathers', 'My God, how wonderful thou art', 'Oh, gift of gifts', founded religious community in Cotton Hall, Birmingham

1814 Charles Mackay, born in Perth, Scotland, poet, writer, journalist, songwriter, wrote for the Morning Chronicle, Illustrated London News, wrote book 'Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds', 1841, wrote popular song 'Cheer, Boys, Cheer'

1810 Johann Gottfried Seume, writer, lyric poet, wrote 'Mein Sommer in Jahr' 1805, 'Spaziergang nach Syrakus' 1803, dies at 47

1801 Novalis, philosopher of early German Romanticism, author, wrote 'Pollen, Faith and Love', 'Hymns to the Night', dies from tuberculosis in the Germany, at age 28

1800 John Goss, born in Fareham, England, composer, organist, wrote hymn 'Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven'

1794 Nicolas de Chamfort, known for aphorisms and witty epigrams, wrote successful comedy, 'La Jeune Indienne', commits suicide at 53

1777 Henry Doeff, colonialist, wrote Dutch-Japanese dictionary

1776 Thomas Paine published his 1st "American Crisis" essay, in which he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls"

1772 Novalis, born in Oberwiederstedt, Germany, philosopher of early German Romanticism, author, wrote 'Pollen, Faith and Love', 'Hymns to the Night'

1765 Stamp Act Congress met in New York, wrote declaration of rights and liberties

1763 Jean Paul, born in Wunsiedel, Germany, born Johann Paul Friedrich Richter, Romantic, wrote 'Quintus Fixlein', 'Schmelzles Reise'

1763 Johann Gottfried Seume, born in Poserna, Germany, writer, lyric poet, wrote 'Mein Sommer in Jahr' 1805, 'Spaziergang nach Syrakus' 1803

1760 Johann Peter Hebel, born in Basel, Switzerland, writer, teacher, most widely read German poet, author, wrote in Alemanic dialect

1744 Amos Bull, composer, wrote book of hymns 'The Responsary', used in New England churches

1741 Nicolas de Chamfort, born in Clermont-Ferrand, France, known for aphorisms and witty epigrams, wrote successful comedy, 'La Jeune Indienne'

1731 Mary Astell, English writer and feminist, wrote 'Some Reflections upon Marriage', dies soon after having breast cancer

1719 John Hawkins, born in England, wrote 1st history of music

1697 Gerhard Tersteegen, German evangelist/poet, wrote in blood

1697 John Aubrey, English writer, wrote 'Brief Lives', died of apoplexy

1666 Mary Astell, born in Newcastle, England, English writer and feminist, wrote 'Some Reflections upon Marriage'

1660 Hubert Gautier, engineer, wrote 1st book on bridge building

1658 Baltasar Gracian, Spanish Baroque prose writer, wrote 'El heroe' or 'The Hero', 'El politico', or 'The Politician', 'El discreto', 'The Discreet One', exiled for 'Criticon', or 'Faultfinder'

1626 John Aubrey, born in Percy, England, English writer, wrote 'Brief Lives'

1601 Baltasar Gracian, born in Belmonte, Aragon, Spain, Spanish Baroque prose writer, wrote 'El heroe' or 'The Hero', 'El politico', or 'The Politician', 'El discreto', 'The Discreet One', exiled for 'Criticon', or 'Faultfinder'

1273 Rumi, Mawlana, Mawlawi, poet, theologian, wrote, the six books of the Masnavi, influenced Persian literature, dies

1207 Rumi, born in Balkh, Khorasan, now Afghanistan, Mawlana, Mawlawi, poet, theologian, wrote, the six books of the Masnavi, influenced Persian literature

1131 Omar Khayyam, poet, mathematician, physicist, astronomer, wrote, Treatise on Demonstration of Problems of Algebra, dies

1048 Omar Khayyam, born in Nayshapur, Iran, poet, mathematician, physicist, astronomer, wrote, Treatise on Demonstration of Problems of Algebra


History Home    Copyright 2009 BrainyMedia.com