Douglas Brooke Wheelton Sladen was an English writer and academic who spent the early part of his working life in Australia. He then embarked upon a period of extensive travel, culminating in a return to London where he settled down to write. He was born on the 5th February 1856 in London, the son of a solicitor. Both of his parents were strict Evangelicals ...
Douglas Hyde was an Irish writer and politician whose Irish name, An Craoibhín Aoibhinn, translates as “The Pleasant Little Branch”. He was an academic and renowned scholar who championed the Irish language, along with the culture and folk lore of his country. Incredibly, at the age of 78, he became his country’s first President and he served in this post for seven ...
Dowell Philip O'Reilly, an Australian-born writer of poetry and short stories who also spent time as a school master at his old school, the Sydney Grammar School. He was a politician for a time, serving four years on the Legislative Assembly for Parramatta where he campaigned, in particular, for women’s suffrage. He was born on the 18th July 1865 in Sydney, the son ...
William IX, Duke of Aquitaine, besides his failed attempts to be a great leader of his people during the Holy Land Crusade of 1101, was a lyric poet in the vernacular style and is generally believed to be the first of the troubadour performers. He wrote in the Occitan language, an ancient tongue that still survives today in the Mediterranean regions. He was ...
Dyneley Hussey was an English war poet who was one of the lucky ones – he fought during the terrible conflict of World War One and survived to live a long life. He was also a journalist and celebrated critic in the fields of art and music. He was born on the 27th February 1893 in India, the son of a serving army officer ...
Charles Sackville was an English poet and royal courtier whose achievements ensured a meteoric rise in status throughout his lifetime. He was made the 6th Earl of Dorset and 1st Earl of Middlesex while also being awarded the Knights Companion Order of the Garter which entitled him to put KG in his post-nominals. He was born on the 24th January 1638, the son ...
Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset, was an English poet, playwright and statesman, serving Parliament and holding the post of Lord High Treasurer. He was born sometime during the year 1536, the son of Richard Sackville who was a cousin of Anne Boleyn. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge and Hertford College, Oxford he had early political ambitions and found his way into Parliament ...
The American poet and songwriter, more popularly known as Dan Emmett, is most famous for penning the famous, patriotic song Dixie although others have laid claim to its authorship. As a stage performer he made the already existing mode of entertainment known as “black face” even more popular when he advanced the concept from one or two performers blacking their hands and ...
Ebenezer Cooke, sometimes spelled Cook, was an American satirical poet and lawyer, born in London sometime during the second half of the 17th century. He is generally acknowledged by literary scholars to be the first American poet to write a satirical piece - The Sotweed Factor, or A Voyage to Maryland, A Satyr which was written in 1708. Precise details of his early life ...
Eden Phillpotts was an English poet and playwright who originated from colonial India in the 19th century. He was born on the 4th November 1862 in the British ruled town of Mount Abu. His parents sent him to be educated in England and he went to school in Plymouth, Devon. He may have had early literary aspirations but he chose to go into ...
