November 12

Richard Baxter (1615–1691) was an influential English Puritan minister, poet, and theologian. Known for his pastoral skill, he served congregations during the English Civil War and Restoration era. His best-selling work, 'The Reformed Pastor', offered practical guidance on church leadership and personal holiness. Baxter's ecumenical spirit led him to seek unity among Protestants, advocating moderate positions amid sectarian conflict. A prolific author, his writings include devotional manuals, hymns, and autobiographical accounts. His emphasis on personal piety and social ethics left a lasting imprint on English religious life.

Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651–1695) was a self-taught scholar, poet, and nun in colonial Mexico. Born in New Spain, she mastered Latin, philosophy, mathematics, and theology at a time when women's learning was discouraged. Her poetry, including 'First Dream', blends Baroque imagery with sharp critiques of social norms. As a Hieronymite nun, she defended intellectual rights in her famous 'Reply to Sor Philothea'. She maintained a vast library and performed scientific experiments, corresponding with European thinkers. Her life and works have made her an icon of feminist and literary studies in the Spanish-speaking world.

Ben Travers was born in 1886 in England and began writing plays in the early 20th century. He gained fame for his witty farces at the Aldwych Theatre, where his tight plotting and humorous dialogue delighted audiences. Over his career, he wrote more than twenty comedies that became staples of British theatre. Several of his works were adapted into films and radio shows, extending his influence across media. Travers continued writing and revising plays well into his later years, leaving a lasting legacy before his death in 1980.

Nima Yooshij was born in 1895 in Yush, Iran, and revolutionized Persian literature by introducing free verse. Dissatisfied with traditional poetic forms, he developed the 'She'r-e Nimaa'i' style, emphasizing natural rhythms and contemporary themes. His landmark work 'Afsaneh' challenged classical conventions and inspired a generation of modernist poets. Yooshij also lectured at universities, sharing his literary theories and fostering new talent. His influence reshaped Iran's poetic landscape and continues to be studied by scholars. He passed away in 1960, leaving a lasting legacy in Persian letters.

Born in 1906 in El Paso, Texas, George Dillon began writing poetry as a teenager. In 1932, his collection 'The Flowering Stone' won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, writing for military publications in North Africa and Italy. After the war, Dillon became an influential editor at 'Poetry' magazine, mentoring emerging writers. He also translated French poetry and published critical essays on modern literature. Dillon's work blended classical forms with modern themes, leaving a lasting impact on American letters until his death in 1968.

France Štiglic was a Slovenian film director and screenwriter whose work helped shape early postwar cinema in Yugoslavia. He directed the internationally acclaimed film 'On Our Own Land' (Na svoji zemlji) in 1948, one of the first Slovenian feature films. Štiglic's films often explored themes of national identity, human resilience, and social change in the aftermath of World War II. As a writer-director, he crafted scripts that combined realism with lyrical storytelling, earning awards at film festivals in Venice and Cannes. Beyond feature films, Štiglic produced documentaries that documented Slovenia’s cultural heritage and reconstruction efforts. He also served as an educator, mentoring young filmmakers at the Ljubljana Film Academy. His legacy endures in Slovenian cinema’s narrative traditions and visual style.

Richard Quine began his career as a contract actor for Columbia Pictures, appearing in musicals and dramas throughout the 1940s. Finding his passion behind the camera, he moved into directing and wrote screenplays for films such as 'The Solid Gold Cadillac' and 'Pushover'. Quine’s directorial style blended sharp comedy with social commentary, evident in movies like 'Bell, Book and Candle' and 'How to Murder a Millionaire'. He collaborated with notable actors including Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak, delivering hits that remain classics of the era. Quine also dabbled in television directing and production, showcasing his versatility across media. His contributions to both acting and filmmaking demonstrate a full-spectrum mastery of narrative storytelling. Today, he is remembered for crafting elegant, character-driven films that balanced wit with emotion.

Tadeusz Borowski was a Polish author and poet renowned for his unflinching accounts of life in Nazi concentration camps. A survivor of Auschwitz and Dachau, he wrote stories such as 'This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen' that depicted the moral ambiguities and brutal realities of camp existence. His minimalist prose and journalistic eye captured the struggle for humanity under inhumane conditions. After the war, Borowski worked as a journalist and translator in Warsaw, grappling with the trauma of his experiences. Though he died young, his work has been celebrated for its historical importance and literary innovation. Borowski’s writings continue to be studied for their ethical depth and narrative power. He remains a key figure in Holocaust literature, giving voice to victims through his vivid, uncompromising style.

Loriot, born Vicco von Bülow, was a German comedian, actor, illustrator, and film director whose gentle satire captured everyday absurdities. He created beloved television sketches such as 'Dinner for One' and 'The Painting Exhibition' that remain cultural touchstones in Germany and beyond. Loriot wrote and directed films like 'Ödipussi' and 'Pappa ante Portas,' blending deadpan humor with sharp observations on family and social norms. As a cartoonist, his simple yet expressive drawings appeared in magazines and books, further showcasing his wit. He received numerous honors, including lifetime achievement awards and the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Loriot's influence on German comedy is immense, inspiring generations of comedians and writers. His work continues to be celebrated for its warmth, intelligence, and universal appeal.

Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Rubén Bonifaz Nuño studied classical philology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He taught classical literature and produced authoritative translations of Latin poets such as Catullus, Ovid, and Horace. His own poetry is known for blending ancient themes with Mexican cultural identity, creating a unique voice in 20th-century literature. Nuño published over twenty collections of poetry and essays, earning him the National Prize for Literature and Linguistics. His scholarship and artistry revitalized scholarly and popular interest in classical literature across the Spanish-speaking world.

Michael Ende was born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, and grew up in an artistic family as the son of a surrealist painter. He began his writing career with children’s fairy tales and quickly gained fame for his imaginative storytelling and philosophical themes. His novel 'Momo' explores the nature of time and alienation, while 'The Neverending Story' became a global phenomenon translated into dozens of languages and adapted into a successful film. Ende’s works are celebrated for their depth, blending whimsy with insights into human nature. Over his lifetime, he received numerous literary awards and influenced generations of writers and readers.

John McGahern grew up in County Leitrim and his upbringing in rural Ireland deeply influenced his writing. His debut novel, 'The Barracks', faced censorship but established him as a powerful new voice in Irish literature. McGahern’s novels, including 'Amongst Women' and 'That They May Face the Rising Sun', are celebrated for their psychological depth, understated style, and exploration of social change. He also taught creative writing at University College Dublin, mentoring a new generation of Irish writers. McGahern received numerous awards and honors for his literary achievements before his death in 2006.