1688 – Alexander Pope, English poet and translator best known for his use of satirical verse; he is considered one of the foremost poets of his time.
1901 – Suzanne Lilar, Flemish Belgian novelist, playwright, journalist, essayist, literary critic, philosopher, and lawyer who wrote in French.
1913 – Oloori Kofoworola “Kofo” Aina Ademola (Lady Ademola, née Moore), Nigerian children’s book author and educator who was the first black African woman to earn a degree from Oxford University and the first president of the National Council of Women Societies in Nigeria.
1916 – Harold Robbins, bestselling American author of popular novels, known for his deftness at blending his own life experiences, history, melodrama, sex, and high society into a fast-moving story.
1922 – Surendra Mohanty, Indian writer, author, autobiographer, and politician who wrote in Oriya.
1935 – Hisako Matsubara, award-winning Japanese novelist, short-story writer, playwright, nonfiction author, editor, columnist, and critic who has published works in Japanese, English, and German; her novels are set in recent Japanese history and address cultural changes and western influences, and her nonfiction books highlight contrasts between Japanese history and European history.
1943 – Beverley Naidoo, award-winning South African author, children’s writer, novelist, and biographer.
1944 – Janet Dailey, bestselling American author of romance novels, with many different series.
1948 – Elizabeth Buchan, British writer of novels, short stories, nonfiction, and biography; she is best known for her romantic novels.
1951 – Al Franken (Alan Stuart Franken), American comedian, screenwriter, author, actor, journalist, radio personality, and U.S. Senator.
1951 – Victoria (Torey) Lynn Hayden, American special-education teacher, university lecturer, and writer of fiction and nonfiction books based on her experiences teaching and counseling children with special needs.
1964 – Miriam Toews, Canadian writer and actress, best known for her novels set in the Mennonite community.
