Sartre, De Beauvoir and “Hell is other people”
On this day in 1980 Jean Paul Sartre, philosopher and Existentialist, died in Paris. He refused the 1964 Nobel Prize for Literature saying that he... Read More
George Simenon’s shady private life
On this day in 1903 the Belgian writer Georges Simenon was born. Simenon will always be remembered for his creation, Commissaire Maigret, the cerebral and... Read More
Sir John Suckling’s card scam
On this day in 1609 the Cavalier poet Sir John Suckling was born. A soldier as well as a poet, he is famous as the... Read More
Rainer Maria Rilke – ahead of his time in life and death
On this day in 1875 the Bohemian Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke was born. Rilke travelled a lot through Europe and eventually settled in Paris;... Read More
Voltaire – incorrigible in literature and in love
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1694, François-Marie Arouet, later known as Voltaire, was born in Paris. He re-named... Read More
Oscar Wilde’s fall from grace
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1854 the Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was born. London’s most popular... Read More
Brendan Behan, Borstal boy and author
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1967 Brendan Behan’s play Borstal Boy, based on his own life, was premiered... Read More