Marguerite Duras was born on 4 April 1914.
“She had lived her early years as though she were waiting for something she might, but never did, become.”-Marguerite Duras, The Ravishing of Lol Stein
The tomb of Marguerite Duras
Washington Irving, a titan in the annals of American Literature, was born on 3 April 1783.
“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.”-Washington Irving
Surprisingly, the father of Ichabod and Rip was something of a dreamboat as a young man.
Washington Irving at 22.
Portrait of Washington Irving by John Wesley Jarvis, 1809.
Washington Irving in 1820.
“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”-Émile Zola (born 2 April 1840)
Buddy Ebsen, 1936. He was born on 2 April 1908.
Shirley Temple and Buddy Ebsen in Captain January (1936).
Wilfred Owen, English poet, was born on 18 March 1893.
Wilfred Owen
“All a poet can do today is warn.”-Wilfred Owen
He was killed in action during World War I, shortly before the Armistice.
[This originally appeared on the blog one year ago.]
Oh, Jean-Louis. You problematic, magnetic SOB. Ninety-two years to the day after your birth, and we-the writers, readers, and open souls of the world-still cannot escape your torturous orbit. As for me: my heart is willing, but my mind is not quite able to sprint the final few yards into your embrace. I promise to try again, like I always do. You know how it goes. It’s not you, it’s me. It’s not me, it’s you. It’s the two of us, together. I love you and hate you and love-hate-hate-love you. This dance we do will never end; the steps and the rhythm will change, but the tune will echo to eternity. Until next time.
Love and kisses and shrugs,
Maedez
On the Road
“I was surprised, as always, by how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility.”-Jack Kerouac
Sir John Suckling, poet and inventor of cribbage, was born on 10 February 1609.
Sir John Suckling by Anthony van Dyck, 17th century.
“I prithee send me back my heart,/Since I cannot have thine;/For if from yours you will not part,/Why, then, shouldst thou have mine?”
The literary Gods certainly favoured the 7th of February, at least during the 19th century. Charles Dickens, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Sinclair Lewis were born on that day. Impressive, right?
Charles Dickens and His Characters by William Holbrook Beard. Birth year: 1812.
“A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder. Birth year: 1867.
“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
Sinclair Lewis, 1914. Birth year: 1885.
“Every man is a king so long as he has someone to look down on.”
Austrian artist Gustav Klimt died on 6 February 1918. He was fifty-five.
A few of his paintings:
Der Park by Gustav Klimt, 1909-1910.
Marie Hennenberg by Gustav Klimt.
Nixen (Silberfische) by Gustav Klimt, circa 1899.
The artist:
Gustav Klimt.
“True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.”-Gustav Klimt
“A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.”-James Joyce (born on 2 February 1882)
Gene Kelly (died 2 February 1996)
Langston Hughes was born on 1 February 1902.
Langston Hughes by Carl Van Vechten, February 1936.
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”-Langston Hughes
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