Frances Anne “Fanny” Kemble was born on this day in London in 1809. Her parents were both prominent stage actors, and Fanny’s early career on the stage met with acclaim, as well. She earned acclaim for her 1829 performance as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, performed at the Covent Garden Theatre (which was owned by her … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Fanny Kemble!
Growing up, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble was one of my favorite books, so it is with enormous pleasure that we at the Free For All celebrate it’s author, William Steig, who was born this day in 1907. Steig was the child of two Polish-Jewish immigrants from Austria; his father Joseph was a house painter, and his … Continue reading Happy Birthday, William Steig!
There are any number of Happy Birthday celebrations going on today for National Book Award honoree, National Medal of Arts winner, and general all-around good neighbor, Stephen King! As the Bangor Daily News notes in their sensational article about Stephen King’s impact on his local community, “Many people have some sort of a Stephen King … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Stephen King!
Today, we celebrate the 200th birthday of Hery David Thoreau–pencil maker, nap taker, revolutionary, intellectual lover of long walks. Henry David Thoreau was born into a family of pencil makers on this day in 1817. Though it was assumed he, too, would get involved in the family business, he found getting up early in the … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Henry David Thoreau!
The Free For All is delighted to wish novelist and poet Ben Okri a very happy birthday today! Okri was born in Nigeria, but spent his early childhood in London while his father, Silver was studying law. The family returned to their home in Nigeria in 1968, where Silver practiced, doing pro bono work for anyone … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Ben Okri!
We love parties here at the Free For All–any one who has seen the giant cake in the Main Library’s lobby in honor of George Peabody will be able to attest to this fact. And we get really excited to celebrate the birthdays of author, composers, and other artists. But today is a special birthday, … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Books!!
Today, the Free For All is celebrating the birthday of American author, and indisputable Interesting Personality, Hunter S. Thompson! Thompson was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on this day in 1937. He was the eldest of three sons, born to Jack Robert Thompson, a First World War veteran and subsequently an insurance adjuster, and Virginia Ray … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Hunter S. Thompson!