August 26

Behr studied law and became active in Bavarian civic life, publishing critiques of government policies. He held a professorship in public law and influenced the development of legal education in Germany. As a publicist, he founded journals that advocated constitutional reforms and greater civil liberties. His outspoken criticism of absolutist rule led to his arrest and exile. Behr spent years under surveillance but continued to write extensively on legal and political philosophy. His works contributed to the liberal movement and shaped public debate until his death in 1851.

Zona Gale was an American novelist, short story writer, and playwright born in 1874. She often explored themes of small-town life and social change in the American Midwest. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, awarded for her novel Miss Lulu Bett. Gale adapted the story into a successful stage play, reaching wider audiences. She was also an advocate for women's suffrage and social reform during the early 20th century. Her works were celebrated for their wit, strong characterizations, and empathetic storytelling. Gale's influence extended through literary circles and cultural organizations until her death in 1938.

Guillaume Apollinaire was born in Rome in 1880 and moved to Paris, where he became a central figure of the avant-garde. He coined the term Surrealism and championed artists like Picasso and Braque in his influential reviews. Apollinaire's poetry collections, including Alcools, blended symbolism with innovative forms and urban imagery. He wrote experimental plays and essays that pushed the boundaries of theatrical convention. During World War I, he served in the French army and was wounded in 1916, an experience he documented in his letters. His wartime poems reflect both the tragedy of conflict and the resilience of the human spirit. Apollinaire also authored the first book on Cubism, defending the movement's radical aesthetics. He died in 1918 during the influenza pandemic, but his work continued to inspire modernist artists and writers. Today, he is remembered as a visionary who bridged 19th-century symbolism and 20th-century innovation.

Jules Romains was born in 1885 and became a founding figure of the Unanimism literary movement. His landmark work, the multi-volume novel cycle Men of Good Will, chronicles French society between the World Wars. Romains explored collective consciousness and social cohesion, rejecting the focus on individual heroes. He authored poems, plays, and essays, engaging with themes of friendship and communal experience. In 1946, he was elected to the Académie française in recognition of his literary achievements. Romains also lectured widely and influenced generations of French writers and intellectuals. He continued to write and advocate for humanist ideals until his death in 1972.

Acharya Chatursen Shastri was born in 1891 and emerged as a significant figure in Hindi literature. He wrote novels, plays, and essays that often depicted historical events and cultural heritage. Shastri's historical fiction made India's ancient past accessible to a broad readership. His works combined rigorous research with engaging narrative styles. He contributed articles on literary criticism and social themes to various publications. Shastri's career spanned both the colonial and early independent periods of India. He passed away in 1960, leaving a legacy of storytelling that influenced future Hindi writers.

Eleanor Dark was an influential Australian author whose novels and poetry explored themes of history, identity, and social change. Born in 1901, she debuted with the novel Prelude in 1930 and gained acclaim with The Timeless Land trilogy, which dramatized Australia’s colonial past. Dark’s writing was admired for its lyrical style and meticulous research, offering vivid portraits of characters and settings. She was also active in literary circles and supported emerging Australian writers. During World War II, she worked for the Department of Information, contributing to cultural policy. Dark received several literary awards and left a lasting impact on Australian literature. She passed away in 1985, remembered as a pioneering voice for women writers.

Born in 1903 in Thomasville, Georgia, Miller became the first Southerner awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1934 for 'Lamb in His Bosom'. Her work vividly portrayed rural 19th-century Georgia life, capturing the hardships and traditions of pioneer families. As a teacher and writer, she brought authenticity to her characters and landscapes, earning critical acclaim and influencing regional literature. Although she wrote essays and short stories, none matched the success of her first novel, which remains a classic today. Miller dedicated her life to education and storytelling, leaving an enduring impact on American Southern literature before her death in 1992.

Born in 1904 in England, Isherwood moved to the United States in 1939 and became an influential literary figure. His semi-autobiographical novel 'Goodbye to Berlin' inspired the Broadway musical and film 'Cabaret'. He explored themes of identity, sexuality, and social change in essays, novels, and memoirs, leaving a mark on 20th-century literature. As an academic, he lectured on creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and mentored aspiring writers. Isherwood was also a devoted practitioner of Vedanta philosophy and wrote extensively on spirituality and ethics. He passed away in 1986, remembered for his elegant prose and candid exploration of human experience.

Born in 1908, Schenck began writing scripts for Hollywood studios in the 1930s, crafting tight, character-driven narratives. He wrote and produced films across genres, including noirs like 'Chinatown at Midnight' and Westerns such as 'Badman's Territory'. Schenck worked with major studios like Universal and Columbia, helping shape postwar American cinema. His films were noted for their suspenseful plots, strong dialogue, and well-defined characters. He also navigated the transition from the studio system to independent production, demonstrating versatility. Schenck passed away in 1999, remembered for his prolific output and influence on genre filmmaking.

Otto Binder began his writing career in the 1930s, contributing to pulp magazines and radio scripts. He became a key writer for DC Comics in the 1940s and 1950s, where he co-created iconic characters such as Supergirl and the original Captain Marvel. Binder's imaginative storytelling and ability to blend science fiction with superhero lore helped define the Golden Age of comics. He also wrote for radio and television, including scripts for The Green Hornet serial. His influence on the comic book industry endures through the characters and stories beloved by fans.

Born in Brussels and raised in Argentina, Julio Cortázar became one of the most innovative writers of the 20th century. His novel Hopscotch broke conventional narrative structures with its non-linear chapters and interactive format. Cortázar's short stories, such as those collected in Blow-Up and Other Stories, blend surrealism with everyday life. As a translator, he introduced Spanish readers to works by Edgar Allan Poe and other authors. He spent his later years in Paris, continuing to write and influence an entire generation of writers. Cortázar's work remains celebrated for its inventiveness and lyrical style.

Fazıl Hüsnü Dağlarca served briefly in the Turkish army before dedicating himself to poetry. Over his seven-decade career, he published more than 60 volumes of poetry exploring themes of homeland, war, and human existence. His works range from epic poems celebrating Turkish identity to intimate reflections on life and mortality. Dağlarca received numerous awards for his contributions to literature and translated classical works into Turkish. His innovative language and thematic depth cemented his status as a pillar of 20th-century Turkish letters. He remains widely studied and admired in Turkish literary circles.