Birth of Hans Christian Andersen
Danish author Hans Christian Andersen was born on April 2, 1805, in Odense, Funen, Kingdom of Denmark-Norway. Best known as an author of Fairy Tales, his birthday is celebrated as International Children’s Book Day.
Literature
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Better known as Dr. Seuss, he created some of America’s most popular children’s books and memorable characters still beloved today.
Start of the Literary Arts Series
On February 27, 1979, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Literary Arts Series honoring author John Steinbeck. The series has continued for 45 years, honoring 35 writers from a variety of backgrounds.
Happy Birthday Sinclair Lewis
Harry Sinclair Lewis was born on February 7, 1885, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The first American to ever receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, he’s remembered as the conscience of his generation.
Birth of Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was born Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire. A best-selling author, she also developed the philosophical system of Objectivism.
Birth of Renowned Writer Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was one of the first Americans to make a living solely as a writer.
Birth of Eric Sevareid
Journalist and author Arnold Eric Sevareid was born on November 26, 1912, in Velva, North Dakota. After fearlessly reporting from the front lines during World War II, he went on to have a successful career in television news.
Birth of Wallace Stevens
Poet Wallace Stevens was born on October 2, 1879, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Considered Stevens the “best and most representative” American poet of his era, he earned multiple awards, including the 1955 Pulitzer Prize.
Birth of T.S. Eliot
Thomas Stearns Eliot was born on September 26, 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri. A Nobel Laureate, he’s considered one of the 20th century’s major poets.