Sylvia Beach – brave bookseller and publisher
On this day in 1887 Sylvia Beach, the American publisher and bookseller, was born. Sylvia grew up in Baltimore, Maryland but came to Paris in... Read More
Irving Layton’s ground-breaking male chauvinism
On this day in 1912 the Canadian poet Irving Layton was born. He is known for his combative ‘tell it like it is’ style that... Read More
Zelda Fitzgerald’s unhappy marriage
On this day in 1948 Zelda Fitzgerald died in a fire at a mental hospital. She is often seen as a mere sidekick to the... Read More
Piet Mondrian’s abstract spirituality
On this day in 1872 the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian was born. Though he started by painting landscapes, Mondrian was greatly influenced by the work... Read More
William Carlos Williams felt upstaged by his friend TS Eliot
On this day in 1963 the poet William Carlos Williams died. Williams lived in New Jersey and was also a doctor, practicing medicine by day... Read More
Tom Wolfe nearly made a career in baseball
On this day in 1931 the writer and journalist Tom Wolfe was born. Wolfe excelled both academically and at baseball – he considered turning professional.... Read More
Pierre Auguste Renoir’s prolific output
On this day in 1841 the French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir was born in Limoges. As a youth, he worked in the famous local porcelain... Read More