1542 – John of the Cross, Spanish monk, mystical philosopher, poet, and saint.
1790 – Helena Sophia Ekblom, Swedish religious writer and preacher also known as Predikare-Lena (Preacher-Lena) and Vita jungfrun (The White Maiden); after spending time in a mental institution, she wrote a book of the religious revelations she had there.
1801 – Caroline Clive (born Caroline Meysey-Wigley) English writer who was sometimes known as Caroline Wigley Clive but who used the pseudonym “V.”
1842 – Ambrose Bierce, American journalist and writer best known for his short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.”
1911 – Ernesto Sabato, Argentine writer, painter, and physicist who has been called “the last classic writer in Argentine literature.”
1912 – Mary Wesley, English novelist whose successes included 10 bestsellers in the last 20 years of her life.
1915 – Norman Cousins, American political journalist, author, professor, and world peace advocate.
1915 – Fred Hoyle, English astronomer and author of science fiction; coiner of the term “Big Bang.”
1937 – Anita Desai, Indian novelist, short-story writer, children’s writer, and professor.
1938 – Lawrence Block, American crime and mystery writer, both of whose main series are set in New York.
1941 – Julia Kristeva, Bulgarian/French philosopher.
1944 – Kathryn Lasky, American author of children’s and young adult fiction, including the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series.
1946 – Robert Bernard Reich, an American political economist, professor, author, and political commentator who served as Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton.
1947 – Mark Helprin, American novelist, journalist and conservative commentator.
1947 – Clarissa Dickson Wright, English television chef and author, half of the Two Fat Ladies team.
1949 – Alireza Nourizadeh, Iranian writer, historian, scholar, and journalist.
1950 – Mercedes Lackey, American fantasy and young-adult author, most of whose novels and intertwining series take place on the world of Velgarth.
