The Calendar of Literary Facts contains more than 6,500 events in literary history.

John Bunyan is born

Explore: The Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan

Matsuo Basho dies

Explore: Temple Bells Die Out, Matsuo Bashō

William Blake is born

Explore: A Poison Tree, William Blake, Songs of Innocence and of Experience

Washington Irving dies

Explore: The Devil and Tom Walker, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving

Alberto Pincherle is born

In a signal episode in his life, Sherwood Anderson suffers a nervous collapse and abruptly walks out of his business in Elryia, Ohio; after this event he began writing fiction in earnest

Owen Dodson is born

Yves Theriault is born

Dennis Brutus is born

Explore: Dennis Brutus

Rita Mae Brown is born

Explore: Rita Mae Brown

Ketti Frings produces the drama Look Homeward, Angel

Explore: Look Homeward, Angel

Richard Wright dies

Explore: The Outsider, Richard Wright

Truman Capote throws a landmark party, his Black-and-White Masked Ball, at New York’s Plaza Hotel, inviting a who’s-who of personages from the world of entertainment, politics, literature, and art

Explore: Truman Capote

Jose Maria Arguedas dies

Explore: José María Arguedas