Writer Biographies

Ted Sorensen died last week at the age of 82. He was an adviser of President John F. Kennedy as well as a great speech writer who wrote some of Kennedy’s greatest speeches.

Ezra Pound’s birthday is coming up on October 30. Here is a poem that is very appropriate for life in Canada at the moment. Ancient Music Winter is icummen in, Lhude sing Goddamm. Raineth drop and staineth slop, And how the wind doth ramm! Sing: Goddamm. Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us, An ague hath my ham. Freezeth river, turneth liver, Damn you, sing: Goddamm. Goddamm, Goddamm, ’tis why I am, Goddamm, So ‘gainst the winter’s balm. Sing goddamm, damm, sing Goddamm. Sing goddamm, sing...

I found these images on http://www.sxc.hu, a great stock photography site.

I was a man who stood in symbolic relations to the art and culture of my age. I had realised this for myself at the very dawn of my manhood, and had forced my age to realise it afterwards. Few men hold such a position in their own lifetime, and have it so acknowledged. It is usually discerned, if discerned at all, by the historian, or the critic, long after both the man and his age have passed away. With me it was different. I felt it myself, and made others feel it. Byron was a symbolic...

Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775.

Oscar Wilde was born on October 16, 1854. He is definitely one of the world’s greatest writers. While mostly known for his plays, his novels and his children’s stories, Wilde was also a prolific poet. Here is one dedicated to one of the greatest writers in English history, John Milton. To Milton Milton! I think thy spirit hath passed away From these white cliffs and high-embattled towers. This gorgeous fiery-coloured world of ours Seems fallen into ashes dull and grey, And the age changed...

Anne Rice ‘s birthday was October 4.

In a bit of a departure for Writer Biographies on a Sunday, I’m reprinting a song rather than a poem. John Lennon would have turned 70 on October 9th. It is hard to believe that he has been dead for almost 30 years. Imagine has long been one of my favorite songs of his and I hope it is one of yours too. Imagine Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today. Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to...

Cervantes was born on September 29, 1547. He was a Spanish author, best known for his novel Don Quixote De La Mancha. Don Quixote is considered to be the first modern novel.

T.S. Eliot was born on September 26, 1888 and died on January 4, 1965. I remember this poem from when I was a child, it has stuck with me all these years I heard it long before Cats came on the scene. Macavity, the Mystery Cat Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw– For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law. He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair: For when they reach the scene of crime–Macavity’s not there! Macavity, Macavity, there’s no on...

I have several articles up at Hubpages. Hubpages is a great community of wonderful writers. Here are some examples of the author biographies found on the site: Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre – Social Conscience and Feminism in Victorian Literature – A Short Biography by Dolores Monet. Dolores has some very good hubs on the Bronte’s. Famous Scottish Writers – Part One Famous Scottish Writers – Part Two by Rose West. William Blake – Poet and Artist by Uninvited Writer. If you see any more good...

September The breezes taste Of apple peel. The air is full Of smells to feel- Ripe fruit, old footballs, Burning brush, New books, erasers, Chalk, and such. The bee, his hive, Well-honeyed hum, And Mother cuts Chrysanthemums. Like plates washed clean With suds, the days Are polished with A morning haze. John Updike

Albert Camus was born in Mondovi, Algeria on November 7, 1913. His father died in 1914 during the Battle of the Marne. Even though he grew up in poverty, Camus eventually made it to the University of Algiers in 1930. His studies were in interrupted with a bout of tuberculosis which forced him to attend on a part-time basis. He graduated with the equivalent of a BA in 1935 and received the equivalent of an MA in 1936. In 1934, Camus married Simone Hie. The marriage was very short-lived. He...

Agatha Christie was born on September 15, 1890, she died in 1976.