1860 – Charles Edward Russell, Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist, editor, columnist, and activist.
1881 – Lu Xun (魯迅), pen name for Zhou Shuren, leading Chinese poet, novelist, editor, literary critic, translator, and short-story writer.
1897 – William Faulkner, American writer of Southern literature, Nobel Laureate, and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize “for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel.” His best known novel is The Sound and the Fury; it’s one of his many books set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.
1923 – Robert Laxalt, Basque-American writer whose novels focused on the Basque experience in Nevada and the American West.
1929 – Barbara Walters, American broadcast journalist and author.
1930 – Shel Silverstein, American poet, lyricist, playwright, and bestselling author and illustrator of children’s books; he wrote the song “A Boy Named Sue,” which Johnny Cash made a hit, as well as several classic books for children, including The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends.
1935 – Maj Sjöwall, Swedish author and translator, best known for her crime fiction.
1947 – Jim Murphy, Newbery Honor-winning American author of children’s books about history.
1952 – Gloria Jean Watkins (better known by her pen name, Bell Hooks), American author, feminist, and social activist.
1955 – Luanne Rice, bestselling American author whose fiction tends to deal with nature, the sea, love, and family relationships.
1956 – Miroslav Volf, Croatian theologian, author, and professor.
1960 – Kristin Hannah, bestselling American novelist.
1960 – Andrzej Stasiuk, Polish novelist, essayist, travel writer, and critic.
1963 – Andrea Davis Pinkney, American editor and children’s book author who won the Coretta Scott King award; her books aim to cultivate pride in African-American culture and achievements.
1964 – Ruth Ohi, Canadian author and illustrator of children’s picture books.
1964- Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Spanish author who has written for adults and teens; he is considered one of Spain’s most successful contemporary novelists.
