May 7

William Dempsey Valgardson

William Dempsey Valgardson (born May 7, 1939) Canadian novelist, short story writer, poet – The Girl With the Botticelli Face (1992)

Read more about W.D. Valgardson here


Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore (born May 7, 1861) Indian poet, novelist, 1913 Nobel Prize winner

Read more here

Watch a documentary about Rabindranath Tagore by Satyajit Ray
 here


Volker Braun

Volker Braun (born May 7, 1939) German poet, playwright, essayist

Read an analysis of one of Braun's poems here

Read another analysis here

Watch an interview of Braun (German language)
 here


Robert Browning

Robert Browning (born May 7, 1812) English poet

Read Laura McNeal's description of Browning's love letters to Elizabeth Barrett here

I thought I had experienced the letters fully when I read them at my desk. I thought I had absorbed their essence. And then I flew to Boston, rented a car, drove to Wellesley, parked the car, and stood in front of the transported door of 50 Wimpole Street, which was presented to the library on the 94th anniversary of May 16, the day Robert stood before the door and waited for it to open so that he could see and be seen by a mind he loved.
I sat at a table and a librarian began to bring me one letter at a time. I had to choose a small percentage of my favorites; we had only eight hours before the library would close and I would go away again.

Dr. Kaly discusses the Brownings (Robert and Elizabeth Barrett)
 here