July 05

Carl Arnold Kortum (1745–1824) was a German doctor and writer best known for his humorous and satirical poetry. Born in Bochum, he studied medicine and practiced as a physician across Westphalia. Alongside his medical career, Kortum penned witty verses and parodies that critiqued social norms of his time. His most famous work, 'Life, Opinions, and Deeds of Hieronymus Jobs the Candidate,' remains a classic of German satirical literature. Kortum's dual talents bridged the worlds of science and letters, earning him lasting recognition in both fields.

George Borrow (1803–1881) was a British author, translator, and linguist best known for his travel memoirs. His works, including 'Lavengro' and 'The Romany Rye,' detailed his extensive travels and deep engagement with Roma communities. Borrow mastered Romani, Welsh, and other languages, reflecting his passion for philology. He served as a government agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, distributing translations of the Bible across Europe. His vivid storytelling style combined ethnography, adventure, and personal observation. Borrow's writings offered unique insights into 19th-century itinerant cultures and influenced later travel literature. He remains celebrated for his literary contributions and advocacy for linguistic diversity.

Constantin Tănase was a Romanian actor, writer, and director who founded a popular satirical theatre troupe in Bucharest. He wrote and performed sketches that lampooned social and political issues, earning both acclaim and controversy. Tănase's work helped establish the revue as a theatrical form in Romania. During the interwar period, he collaborated with leading artists and nurtured future talents. His legacy endures as a symbol of creative resistance and cultural innovation.

Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) was a multifaceted French creative whose work spanned poetry, theater, film, and visual art. Born in Maisons-Laffitte, he published his first poems as a teenager and quickly became associated with Paris's avant-garde circles. Cocteau wrote celebrated plays like 'Les Parents Terribles' and novels such as 'Les Enfants Terribles'. He directed influential films including 'La Belle et la Bête' and 'Orphée', blending myth with modernist style. As a designer, he created sets and costumes for ballet and opera, collaborating with artists like Picasso and Satie. His innovative fusion of media made him a central figure in 20th-century art and literature.

Born in Vrgorac, Croatia, Tin Ujević became one of the most influential figures of the Croatian literary renaissance. His poetry blends symbolism with existential themes, exploring identity, love, and the human condition. He introduced Croatian readers to Baudelaire, Rimbaud, and other European masters through his translations. Active during the early 20th century, his work mirrored the political and cultural upheavals of his time. Despite personal struggles, his legacy endures, and he remains a central voice in Slavic poetry.

Born in London, Cox revolutionized the detective genre with novels that delved into the minds of both victim and perpetrator. His groundbreaking work "Malice Aforethought" (1931) is often credited as the first modern psychological thriller. He co-founded the Detection Club, joining literary luminaries to promote quality in mystery writing. Across his career, he wrote acclaimed novels and critical essays, influencing generations of crime writers. His legacy endures through his inventive plots and richly drawn characters.

Born in Villar-en-Val, Achard rose to fame with plays such as "Jean de la Lune" (1929) and "Voulez-vous jouer avec moi?" (1932). His work seamlessly blended humor with nuanced character studies, earning him popular and critical acclaim. Achard also penned successful screenplays during the golden age of French cinema. Elected to the Académie Française in 1959, he left an indelible mark on 20th-century French letters. His plays continue to be staged worldwide for their timeless charm and insight into human nature.

Harold Acton was born into an aristocratic family in London and educated at Eton College and Oxford University. A central figure among the Bright Young Things, he gained renown for his wit, erudition, and love of Italian culture. His historical novels, such as Seven Against the Tomb, showcased his mastery of classical themes. After World War II, he curated a celebrated collection of art and books at his Villa La Pietra in Florence. Acton's three-volume memoirs Memoirs of a Charmed Life offer a vivid portrait of interwar society. Honored with a CBE in 1974, he influenced generations of scholars through his teaching and writings.

Born in 1921 in Crete, Nanos Valaoritis emerged as a key figure in European surrealist and avant-garde circles. His poetry, novels, and plays explored themes of identity, mythology, and modernity with innovative language and imagery. Active in both Greece and France, he collaborated with prominent artists and writers, helping to bridge cultural movements across borders. Valaoritis received numerous literary awards and translated works of other major authors into Greek and French. His body of work left a lasting impact on contemporary literature until his death in 2019.

Born in 1923 in Fukuoka, Japan, Mitsuye Yamada was among those interned in U.S. camps during World War II. Drawing on her experiences, she became a powerful voice through poetry and essays that addressed displacement, identity, and resistance. Yamada served as a professor of English at the University of Illinois at Chicago, mentoring generations of students. An influential figure in the redress movement, she campaigned for acknowledgment and reparations for Japanese American internees. Her published collections and public speaking continue to inspire discussions on civil rights and historical memory.

Jean Raspail was born in France in 1925 and developed a passion for exploration and writing. He embarked on expeditions to the Arctic, South America, and Africa, documenting his journeys in vivid travelogues. As a novelist, he published more than thirty books, including the controversial 1973 work "The Camp of the Saints," which sparked international debate on immigration. Raspail received the Prix des Deux Magots for his literary achievements and was acclaimed for his poetic prose. His writings blend adventure, cultural reflection, and social commentary. He died in 2020, leaving a body of work that continues to inspire and provoke readers.

Jiří Reynek (1929-2014) was a Czech poet and graphic artist renowned for his unique blend of poetic lyricism and detailed graphic illustrations. Born into a culturally rich family in Paris, he spent much of his life in Czechoslovakia, where he captured the landscapes and spirit of rural life in his art and verse. His bilingual work bridged French and Czech literary traditions. Reynek's engravings and linocuts often accompanied his own translated poems and works by other poets. His meticulously crafted woodcuts displayed a deep connection to folklore and nature. His legacy endures in galleries and literary circles across Europe.