February 02

Born near Lake Maggiore in Italy, Peter Martyr studied in Milan and Pisa before moving to Spain at the invitation of King Ferdinand. He became a royal chronicler, documenting voyages of Columbus, Cortés, and other explorers. His work 'De Orbe Novo' (On the New World) provided detailed letters and reports that introduced Europe to the peoples and geography of the Americas. Peter Martyr’s humanist approach combined classical learning with firsthand accounts, making his histories popular among scholars. He also wrote biographies of notable figures and served as a diplomat in the Spanish court. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern historiography of the Age of Discovery.

Piotr Skarga was born in 1536 in Poland and joined the Jesuit order in his youth. He gained fame for his eloquent sermons delivered to the Polish royal court and at popular gatherings. Authored 'Sejm Sermons', he criticized social ills and urged moral reforms. As a writer and educator, he founded schools and championed Catholic renewal during the Counter-Reformation. His works influenced Polish politics and religious life, strengthening the position of the Church. Skarga remains celebrated as a seminal figure in Polish literature and spiritual history.

Born in 1621, Johannes Schefferus pursued studies at several European universities before being appointed professor of eloquence and history at Uppsala University. His 1673 publication 'Lapponia' provided one of the first comprehensive descriptions of the Sami people and their customs, earning acclaim across Europe. Schefferus also published numerous hymns that were widely used in Swedish Lutheran worship, blending scholarly precision with devotional expression. He engaged in intellectual debates on theology, classical rhetoric, and language studies, demonstrating broad erudition. His writings helped establish Sweden as a center of early modern scholarship and influenced fields ranging from ethnography to philology. Schefferus died in 1679, and his interdisciplinary contributions continue to be celebrated by historians and literary scholars alike.

Johann Christoph Gottsched (1700–1766) was a leading figure of the German Enlightenment who championed rationalism and clarity in literature. As a professor at the University of Leipzig, he sought to elevate the German language by adapting French neoclassical principles to local traditions. His seminal work, Versuch einer kritischen Dichtkunst vor die Deutschen (1730), set new standards for poetic forms and dramatic structures. Gottsched also translated and promoted the works of Molière and other French dramatists, making them accessible to German audiences. He founded literary societies that fostered discussion and critique among emerging writers. His efforts laid the foundation for subsequent generations of German authors and critics.

Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav (1849-1921) was one of Slovakia’s most influential poets and playwrights. He introduced realistic and symbolist currents into Slovak poetry, enriching its language and form. His epic poems explored national identity, social justice, and the human condition. Hviezdoslav also translated Shakespeare and other classics into Slovak, shaping the literary scene. His legacy continues to inspire Slovak writers and playwrights today.

Frank L. Packard (1877–1942) was a Canadian author celebrated for his engaging detective and adventure stories. He created the character Jimmie Dale, known as The Gray Seal, a gentleman thief turned crime-fighter featured in popular novels and serials. Packard's fast-paced narratives and well-drawn characters captivated readers on both sides of the Atlantic. His works contributed to the golden age of early 20th-century popular fiction and influenced subsequent generations of mystery writers.

James Joyce was an Irish modernist writer whose innovative narrative techniques reshaped 20th-century literature. His landmark works include Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and the groundbreaking novel Ulysses. Published in 1922, Ulysses employs stream-of-consciousness and deep interior monologue to follow Leopold Bloom through a single day. Joyce later experimented with language and form in Finnegans Wake, a complex work published in 1939. Though born and educated in Dublin, he spent most of his adult life in Trieste, Zurich, and Paris. Joyce’s daring style and profound insight into human consciousness make him one of the towering figures of modern literature.

Johnston McCulley was an American writer whose prolific work in pulp magazines popularized adventure tales. In 1919, he introduced the masked vigilante Zorro in a serialized story for All-Story Weekly. The character’s swift swordsmanship and secret identity captured readers’ imaginations and spawned numerous film and television adaptations. McCulley wrote hundreds of stories featuring Zorro as well as other pulp heroes throughout his career. His fast-paced narratives and memorable characters helped define the American Western and adventure genres. Zorro remains one of his enduring legacies and a cultural icon around the world.

Julia Nava de Ruisánchez was a pioneering Mexican feminist activist and writer. Through her essays and public speeches, she fought for women’s suffrage, educational access, and labor protections. She co-founded feminist journals and organizations to mobilize women across Mexico. Her literary works blended social critique with compelling narratives to raise awareness of gender inequality. Nava de Ruisánchez’s advocacy laid the groundwork for later advances in Mexican women's rights. Today, she is remembered as one of the early architects of feminism in Latin America.

William Rose Benét was an American poet and editor known for his elegant verse and literary scholarship. He served as literary editor of the Saturday Review, championing writers and shaping American literary tastes. In 1942, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his collection The Dust Which Is God. Benét’s poems often blend satire, wit, and a deep appreciation for language. The brother of novelist Stephen Vincent Benét, he also published essays, translations, and critical studies on poetry. His contributions as both a creator and curator of literature left a lasting mark on 20th-century American letters.

Bozorg Alavi was born in 1904 in Tehran and studied medicine before turning to literature. He became a leading figure in Iran’s modernist literary movement, publishing novels, short stories, and essays. Alavi’s landmark novel "Her Eyes" explored social and psychological themes and remains a classic of Persian literature. He was also an outspoken political activist, opposing authoritarian regimes and championing intellectual freedom. During his exile, he continued writing and contributed to cultural publications in Europe. His work bridged literary innovation and social commentary, inspiring generations of Iranian writers.

Ayn Rand was born in 1905 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and emigrated to the United States in 1926. She rose to fame with her novels 'The Fountainhead' (1943) and 'Atlas Shrugged' (1957), which promoted individualism and laissez-faire capitalism. Rand developed the philosophical system of Objectivism, emphasizing reason, self-interest, and the pursuit of happiness. She lectured extensively, wrote non-fiction essays, and founded the Ayn Rand Institute to advocate her ideas. Rand’s work has had a lasting influence on literature, political thought, and libertarian movements. Her emphasis on rational self-interest continues to spark debate and inspire supporters worldwide.