|
|
|
|
1
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus was published anonymously in London
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus was published anonymously in London. After commercial success and much speculation as to the text’s authorship, the second edition was published in 1823 with Mary Shelley’s name on it. Shelley faced extreme sexism and criticism from critics, who accused her of being unworthy of her father or her husband’s name. Although the book is still widely read and taught today, Shelley died penniless and virtually friendless at the age of 53. (January 01, 1818)
|
2
The fourth and final canto of Lord Byron’s Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage was published, selling out 500 copies in 3 days
The fourth and final canto of Lord Byron’s Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage was published, selling out 500 copies in 3 days. Byron considered the narrative poem his best work, and it contained the first appearance of what is now known as a Byronic hero. (January 02, 1814)
|
3
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known to readers as JRR Tolkien, was born in British-occupied South Africa
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known to readers as JRR Tolkien, was born in British-occupied South Africa. (January 03, 1892)
|
4
Poet and author T
Poet and author T.S. Eliot died from emphysema and was interred in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey. (January 04, 1965)
|
5
Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr
Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was published in London. It was sold for one shilling in the UK and one dollar in the US. Despite its low price, the book sold 40,000 copies in its first six months. (January 05, 1886)
|
6
American poet Carl Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois
American poet Carl Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois. Sandburg was the recipient of numerous Pulitzer prizes and is best remembered for his unique poetry, especially his depictions of his hometown of Chicago. (January 06, 1878)
The first edition of Miguel Cervantes’ groundbreaking novel Don Quixote de la Mancha was published in Madrid
The first edition of Miguel Cervantes’ groundbreaking novel Don Quixote de la Mancha was published in Madrid. Many of its first editions were sent via ship overseas to the New World, and the novel was a sensation in both hemispheres. (January 06, 1605)
|
7
American author Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama
American author Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama. Hurston’s work was largely ignored until Alice Walker published her article, “In Search of Zora Neale Hurston” in Ms. Magazine. Since then she has become a fixture in American literature, particularly for her perspective from the African American woman. (January 07, 1891)
|
8
Chilean writer Isabel Allende wrote a letter to her dying grandfather, a letter which would evolve into her first best-selling novel The House of the Spirits
Chilean writer Isabel Allende wrote a letter to her dying grandfather, a letter which would evolve into her first best-selling novel The House of the Spirits. (January 08, 1981)
|
9
Feminist philosopher and author Simone de Beauvoir was born in Paris, France
Feminist philosopher and author Simone de Beauvoir was born in Paris, France. After her family’s financial crisis following World War I, de Beauvoir learned to rely on her astounding intelligence to move forward. She not only wrote several award-winning novels, but became a household name in philosophy and feminism. (January 09, 1908)
|
10
Thomas Paine published his popular pamphlet “Common Sense,” advocating for America’s independence
Thomas Paine published his popular pamphlet “Common Sense,” advocating for America’s independence. Unlike many highbrow and poetic publications of the time, Paine wrote his essay in persuasive prose, ensuring that it could be read and understood by any literate person in the colonies. (January 10, 1776)
|
11
JK Rowling completed work on her seventh and final Harry Potter books in room 552 of the Bamoral Hotel in Edinburgh
JK Rowling completed work on her seventh and final Harry Potter books in room 552 of the Bamoral Hotel in Edinburgh. Rowling found working at her home noisy and distracting, so she lived in the hotel for six months as she wrote Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in secret. In its first 24 hours, the book sold 8.3 million copies in America alone. (January 11, 2007)
|
12
Author Jack London was born in San Francisco, California
Author Jack London was born in San Francisco, California. London led a life full of excitement, developing scurvy during the gold rush, working as a war correspondent, and becoming one of the first celebrity writers of America. (January 12, 1876)
|
13
Irish writer and master satirist Jonathan Swift was ordained as an Anglican priest
Irish writer and master satirist Jonathan Swift was ordained as an Anglican priest. (January 13, 1695)
|
14
British author Lewis Carroll died from pneumonia in his sister’s home
British author Lewis Carroll died from pneumonia in his sister’s home. (January 14, 1898)
|
15
French playwright and humorist Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his stage name Moliere, was born in Paris
French playwright and humorist Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his stage name Moliere, was born in Paris. Apparently, upon being presented to the household, one of the family’s maids exclaimed, “Le Nez!” upon seeing Moliere’s large nose. This unfortunately became his childhood nickname. (January 15, 1622)
|
16
Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws was published by Doubleday, proving a commercial success immediately
Peter Benchley’s novel Jaws was published by Doubleday, proving a commercial success immediately. The book spent 44 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and led to the iconic Spielberg film. Peter Benchley developed guilt over the public’s growing negative attitude toward sharks and the resulting endangerment to some of their species. He became a conservationist later in his career and made conscious efforts to restore the reputation of sharks until his death in 2006. (January 16, 1974)
|
17
Poet Mary Oliver passed away in her home in Home Sound, Florida
Poet Mary Oliver passed away in her home in Home Sound, Florida. She was 83. (January 17, 2009)
Anne Brontë, the youngest of the Brontë sisters, was born in Yorkshire, England
Anne Brontë, the youngest of the Brontë sisters, was born in Yorkshire, England. Although Anne is the least known of her famous sisters, she did publish a volume of poetry with her sisters, as well as two novels: Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Sadly, Anne Brontë died at the age of 29 from tuberculosis. (January 17, 1820)
|
18
Alan Alexander Milne, known in print as A
Alan Alexander Milne, known in print as A.A. Milne, was born in London. Milne is best known as the author and creator of Winnie the Pooh, but many do not know that he wrote other novels, plays, and articles, as well as served in both World Wars. (January 18, 1882)
Anton Chekhov’s final play, The Cherry Orchard opened at the Moscow Art Theater
Anton Chekhov’s final play, The Cherry Orchard opened at the Moscow Art Theater. (January 18, 1904)
|
19
Edgar Allan Poe, master of the macabre poem and short story, was born in Boston, Massachusetts
Edgar Allan Poe, master of the macabre poem and short story, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Although Poe’s writing is well-known and widely read today, widely was his only source of income and contributed to his many financial woes throughout his life. (January 19, 1809)
|
20
Maya Angelou read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton
Maya Angelou read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. She became the first woman and African American to recite at the inauguration of an American president. (January 20, 1993)
|
21
British author George Orwell passed away in his sleep from a burst artery
British author George Orwell passed away in his sleep from a burst artery. Orwell’s health had been declining since his bout with tuberculosis in 1947, but his final days were happy as his fiancée Sonia Brownell cared for him throughout his illness. The two were married in his hospital room in December of 1949, only a month before his death. (January 21, 1950)
|
22
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible premiered at The Martin Beck Theatre to mostly negative reviews
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible premiered at The Martin Beck Theatre to mostly negative reviews. Although many critics disliked it, the play curiously won the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play. Miller himself wasn’t a fan of the show’s first run as he felt it was emotionless and cold. The play’s second run was more passionate and successful, cementing the play as a classic in American drama. (January 22, 1953)
|
23
Poet Derek Walcott was born in Castries, St
Poet Derek Walcott was born in Castries, St. Lucia. Walcott won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992 for his epic poem “Omeros.” (January 23, 1930)
|
24
American writer Edith Wharton was born in New York City
American writer Edith Wharton was born in New York City. Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature in 1921. Today she is best remembered for her prolific contributions to American literature, including titles such as The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome. (January 24, 1862)
|
25
Poet Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland
Poet Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland. Burns and his poetry were so beloved by the Scottish people that his birthday is celebrated every year with Burns Night. A Burns Night, or Burns Supper, includes a variety of Scottish traditions, including a haggis meal, celebratory toasts, and the playing of bagpipes. (January 25, 1759)
|
26
British writer and screenwriter Christopher Hampton was born in Portugal
British writer and screenwriter Christopher Hampton was born in Portugal. Hampton earned an Emmy for his adapted screenplays for Dangerous Liaisons and Atonement. Hampton has adapted plays and screenplays from works by Christopher Marlowe, Moliére, Daphne du Maurier, Lewis Carroll. (January 26, 1946)
|
27
Author JD Salinger passed away at the age of 91 of natural causes
Author JD Salinger passed away at the age of 91 of natural causes. After the publication of his iconic novel, The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger began to withdraw from the public eye and live a reclusive life. He published his last work in 1965 and gave his final public interview in 1980. (January 27, 2010)
|
28
Thomas Egerton published Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
Thomas Egerton published Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Although Austen was given a share of the profits from her publication of Sense and Sensibility, she was not made aware of how well that book sold until after she entered into a publishing agreement with Egerton. Austen made only £110 from the sale of Pride and Prejudice, while her publisher earned at least £450. (January 28, 1813)
|
29
The Evening Mirror published Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven,” sparking a strong of publications in numerous newspapers and magazines
The Evening Mirror published Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven,” sparking a strong of publications in numerous newspapers and magazines. The publication was Poe’s biggest literary success, but it didn’t benefit him much financially. (January 29, 1845)
|
30
Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in 80 Days was published in France by Pierre-Jules Hetzel
Jules Verne’s novel Around the World in 80 Days was published in France by Pierre-Jules Hetzel. It is considered to be Verne’s best and most popular work. (January 30, 1873)
|
31
American Western author Zane Grey was born in Zanesville, Ohio (the name is not a coincidence, as Zane was a direct descendent of the town’s founder)
American Western author Zane Grey was born in Zanesville, Ohio (the name is not a coincidence, as Zane was a direct descendent of the town’s founder). Grey wrote dozens of westerns, establishing a standard image of the western frontier. With every publication, Grey experienced commercial success and critical humiliation. Despite his unpopularity with the critics, Grey became one of the first millionaire writers and his books have been turned into over 100 movies. (January 31, 1872)
|
|