Happy birthday, John Dryden

It is the birthday of English poet and playwright John Dryden (1631), who served as Poet Laureate of Great Britain and dominated literary circles under Charles II. The period became known as the Age of Dryden. It was a period that saw the rise of journalism and periodicals and the essay as well as the advent of literary criticism. Here is a poem by Dryden from his play The Conquest of Granada.

Happy birthday, Majorie Kinnan Rawlings

It is the birthday of writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1896), who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her novel The Yearling (1938), about a Florida backwoods boy and his love for a young deer. Rawlings is one of Florida's best known writers. She published eight books while she lived at Cross Creek south of Gainesville. Two more were published posthumously. She also wrote 26 short stories, most of them set in Florida. Here is a video made at Rawlings home featuring writer Betty Jean Steinshouer, who portrays Rawlings and other authors. Enjoy.

Happy birthday, Garrison Keillor

It is the birthday of writer and radio personality Garrison Keillor (1942), who created the A Prairie Home Companion radio show on Minnesota Public Radio in 1971, and has done so ever since, except for a six-year hiatus (1987-1993) during which he produced a similar show called The American Radio Company of the Air. Keillor also hosts The Writer's Almanac, a daily literary program. He has written 24 books, including short stories from his fictional town of Lake Wobegon, poetry collections, and novels. Last year he appeared at the National Book Festival. Here is a video presentation of that appearance, and although it is 50 minutes long, it is well worth the time investment. Enjoy.

Happy birthday, Lord Tennyson

It is the birthday of English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809), one of the most popular and often quoted poets in the English language. He served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom for 42 years, longer than anyone else. Queen Victoria, who appointed him, was a great admirer. In 1890, Thomas Edison recorded Tennyson reading one of his most famous poems, The Charge of the Light Brigade, about an ill-fated battle during the Crimean War. Here is a very creative animation using that recording. Enjoy!