Scorpio Poets

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 1 
Sylvia Plath
(Famous for Her Books 'The Bell Jar' and 'Ariel')
Sylvia Plath
36
Birthdate: October 27, 1932
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: February 11, 1963

Sylvia Plath was an American short-story writer, novelist, and poet. Plath is credited with popularizing confessional poetry and won a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Sylvia Plath achieved popularity and critical acclaim despite suffering from clinical depression for the most part of her adult life. Her story inspired the 2003 film Sylvia in which she was portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow.

 2 
John Keats
(English Romantic Lyric Poet)
John Keats
8
Birthdate: October 31, 1795
Birthplace: Moorgate, London, England
Died: February 23, 1821
John Keats was one of the leading 19th-century Romantic poets, along with Byron and Shelley, known for his natural imagery and emotions in his poems. Some of his best-known works are Ode on a Grecian Urn, To Autumn, and Ode to a Nightingale. He died of tuberculosis at age 25.
 3 
Ezra Pound
(American Poet and Critic Known for His Works: ‘Ripostes’, ‘Hugh Selwyn Mauberley’ and the Epic Poem, ‘The Cantos’)
Ezra Pound
13
Birthdate: October 30, 1885
Birthplace: Idaho, United States
Died: November 1, 1972
American poet Ezra Pound was a significant figure in the modernist poetry movement who developed imagism and gained fame with works such as Ripostes and The Cantos. He later promoted social credit theory. During World War II, he supported fascism, participating in radio broadcasts against the U.S. and Jews. 
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 4 
Robert Louis Stevenson
(Author of Famous Novels: 'Treasure Island' and 'Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde')
Robert Louis Stevenson
7
Birthdate: November 13, 1850
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
Died: December 3, 1894

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish travel writer, poet, and novelist. A popular writer in his lifetime, Stevenson went about traveling widely and writing prolifically even as he suffered from bronchial trouble; his will power and love for writing won the hearts of many other writers. In 2018, he was ranked as the world's 26th-most-translated author.

 5 
Chinua Achebe
(Nigerian novelist)
Chinua Achebe
4
Birthdate: November 16, 1930
Birthplace: Ogidi, Nigeria Protectorate
Died: March 21, 2013

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian poet, novelist, professor, and critic. Often described as Africa's greatest storyteller, Achebe is widely regarded as the father of modern African writing. He was the recipient of several awards and honors, including the Man Booker International Prize 2007. His novel Things Fall Apart is one of the most read books in Africa.

 6 
Margaret Atwood
(Poet, Novelist, Literary Critic & Environmental Activist)
Margaret Atwood
24
Birthdate: November 18, 1939
Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian poet and novelist. Her works encompass themes, such as religion and myth, climate change, and gender and identity. An award-winning writer, many of Atwood's works have been made into films and television series; her work, The Handmaid's Tale, has had several adaptations. Perhaps, Margaret Atwood's most important contribution is her invention of the LongPen device.

 7 
Friedrich Schiller
(Playwright and Poet Known for His Works 'The Robbers', 'Don Carlos' and 'Mary Stuart')
Friedrich Schiller
8
Birthdate: November 10, 1759
Birthplace: Marbach am Neckar, Germany
Died: May 9, 1805

Friedrich Schiller was a German poet, physician, philosopher, playwright, and historian. Schiller is best remembered for his friendship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the two discussed issues concerning aesthetics. Schiller's discussions with Goethe paved the way for a period, which came to be known as Weimar Classicism. Friedrich Schiller is also widely regarded as Germany's most prominent classical playwright.

 8 
Stephen Crane
(Writer, Journalist, Poet, Baseball player, Novelist, Screenwriter)
Stephen Crane
5
Birthdate: November 1, 1871
Birthplace: Newark
Died: June 5, 1900
 9 
Ivan Turgenev
(Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet & Popularizer of Russian Literature in the West)
Ivan Turgenev
7
Birthdate: November 9, 1818
Birthplace: Oryol, Russia
Died: September 3, 1883

It is believed Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev was highly inspired by his dominant mother in his younger days and thus created strong female characters in his novels later. He is remembered for popularizing Russian literature and realism in the West. One of his most notable works was Father and Sons.

 10 
Dylan Thomas
(Poet & Writer)
Dylan Thomas
4
Birthdate: October 27, 1914
Birthplace: Swansea
Died: November 9, 1953

Dylan Thomas was a Welsh writer and poet who published popular poems, such as Do not go gentle into that good night, which was popularized in the 2014 movie, Interstellar, where Michael Caine's character recites the poem throughout the film. Dylan Thomas achieved tremendous popularity during his lifetime and remains popular after his untimely death at the age of 39.

 11 
Muhammad Iqbal
(One of the Most Important Figures in Urdu and Persian Literature)
Muhammad Iqbal
0
Birthdate: November 9, 1877
Birthplace: Sialkot, Pakistan
Died: April 21, 1938

Muhammad Iqbal was a Scholar, poet, and politician. Born in British India (present-day Pakistan), Iqbal's poetry in Persian and Urdu languages is regarded as one of the greatest of the modern era. Also an influential politician, Muhammad Iqbal's vision of an independent Muslim state helped inspire the creation of Pakistan where he is recognized as the national poet.

 12 
John Berger
(Novelist)
John Berger
8
Birthdate: November 5, 1926
Birthplace: London, England
Died: January 2, 2017
 13 
W. S. Gilbert
(Dramatist)
W. S. Gilbert
4
Birthdate: November 18, 1836
Birthplace: Southampton Street, London, England
Died: May 29, 1911
 14 
Laxmi Prasad Devkota
(Poet)
Laxmi Prasad Devkota
3
Birthdate: November 13, 1909
Birthplace: Kathmandu, Nepal
Died: September 14, 1959
 15 
William Cullen Bryant
(Romantic Poet)
William Cullen Bryant
3
Birthdate: November 3, 1794
Birthplace: Cummington, Massachusetts
Died: June 12, 1878
 16 
Paul Valery
(French Poet, Essayist and Philosopher)
Paul Valery
3
Birthdate: October 30, 1871
Birthplace: Sète, France
Died: July 20, 1945

Paul Valery was a French poet, philosopher, and essayist. Thanks to his immense contribution to literature, Valery received several nominations for the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature. The title of the 2013 Japanese animated historical drama film The Wind Rises was inspired by one of Paul Valery's verses. Also, his poem Palme inspired James Merrill's celebrated poem, Lost in Translation.

 17 
Natalie Clifford Barney
(Playwright)
Natalie Clifford Barney
5
Birthdate: October 31, 1876
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, United States
Died: February 2, 1972
 18 
Roger McGough
(Poet, performer, and children's author)
Roger McGough
4
Birthdate: November 9, 1937
Birthplace: Litherland, Lancashire, England
 19 
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
(Poet and Mystic Rosicrucian)
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
4
Birthdate: November 5, 1850
Birthplace: Janesville, Wisconsin, United States
Died: October 30, 1919
 20 
Lucan
(One of the Outstanding Poets of the Imperial Latin Period Who is Known for His Epic Poem 'Pharsalia')
Lucan
3
Birthdate: November 3, 0039
Birthplace: Córdoba, Spain
Died: April 30, 0065
Lucan was a Roman poet who is counted among the most important personalities of the Imperial Latin period. He is best remembered for his epic poem Pharsalia, which narrates the civil war between the forces of the Roman Senate and Julius Caesar. Lucan was renowned for the speed of his composition, which set him apart from his contemporaries.
 21 
Jami
(Persian Sunni Poet and Scholar)
Jami
3
Birthdate: November 7, 1414
Birthplace: Greater Khorasan
Died: November 9, 1492
Jami was a Persian poet best remembered for his achievements as a writer and scholar of mystical Sufi literature. A prominent poet-theologian, Jami was respected and revered for his piety and mysticism. He is also remembered for his analysis and explanation of the metaphysics of mercy. Some of his most popular poetic works are Tuhfat al-Ahrar, Fatihat al-Shabab, and Lawa'ih.
 22 
Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton
(Diplomat)
Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton
3
Birthdate: November 8, 1831
Birthplace: London, England
Died: November 24, 1891
Apart from serving as a British viceroy of India, Robert Bulwer-Lytton had also penned poems under the pen-name Owen Meredith. His relief policy in the wake of the Madras famine of 1876-78 was highly criticized and held responsible for aggravating the famine. He also catalyzed the Second Afghan War.
 23 
Purushottam Laxman Deshpande
(Indian Author)
Purushottam Laxman Deshpande
4
Birthdate: November 8, 1919
Birthplace: Mumbai, India
Died: June 12, 2000

Purushottam Laxman Deshpande was an Indian writer, humorist, actor, scriptwriter, musician, composer, and orator. Over the course of his illustrious career, Deshpande won several prestigious awards, such as the Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, and Kalidas Samman. He was also known for his social and philanthropic activities. His life inspired a couple of films and documentaries.      

 24 
Anne Sexton
6
Birthdate: November 9, 1928
Birthplace: Newton, Massachusetts, United States
Died: October 4, 1974
 25 
Thomas Chatterton
(Former Poet whose best known poem, O synge untoe mie roundelaie was set to a five-part madrigal by Samuel Wesley)
Thomas Chatterton
3
Birthdate: November 20, 1752
Birthplace: Bristol, England
Died: August 24, 1770
 26 
Thomas Nashe
(Playwright)
Thomas Nashe
5
Birthdate: 1567
Birthplace: Lowestoft, United Kingdom
Died: 1601 AD
 27 
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
(Poet, Viceroy and Captain General of Scotland)
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
3
Birthdate: October 25, 1612
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
Died: May 21, 1650

Known as The Great Montrose, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was not just a Scottish nobleman and military leader but also a talented poet. He won many battles for Charles I but was defeated in the Battle of Carbisdale, following which he was hanged to death in the Edinburgh marketplace.

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 28 
John Berryman
(Poet, Writer, University teacher)
John Berryman
14
Birthdate: October 25, 1914
Birthplace: McAlester
Died: January 7, 1972
 29 
Vachel Lindsay
(Poet)
Vachel Lindsay
3
Birthdate: November 10, 1879
Birthplace: Springfield, Illinois, United States
Died: December 5, 1931
 30 
Henry Van Dyke
3
Birthdate: November 10, 1852
Birthplace: Philadelphia
Died: April 10, 1933
 31 
Richard Baxter
(British Puritan Church Leader, Poet, Hymnodist, Theologian, and Controversialist)
Richard Baxter
3
Birthdate: November 12, 1615
Birthplace: Rowton, Shropshire, England
Died: December 8, 1691

Richard Baxter was an English poet, theologian, hymnodist, controversialist, and Puritan church leader. He was one of the most influential and important leaders of the Nonconformists. Today, he is commemorated in the Church of England with a feast day on 14 June.

 32 
Otep Shamaya
(American Singer and Rapper)
Otep Shamaya
4
Birthdate: November 7, 1969
Birthplace: Austin, Texas, United States
 33 
Andrew Motion
(British Poet, Novelist, Biographer and Poet Laureate From 1999 to 2009)
Andrew Motion
3
Birthdate: October 26, 1952
Birthplace: London, England

English Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, the first laureate to serve a fixed term, is best known for his narrative poetry and works such as The Pleasure Steamers. He has also penned biographies of John Keats and the Lambert family members. He has also been knighted for his achievements.

 34 
Tommy Makem
(Singer, Musician)
Tommy Makem
3
Birthdate: November 4, 1932
Birthplace: Keady, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Died: August 1, 2007
 35 
Mary Sidney
(Countess)
Mary Sidney
3
Birthdate: October 27, 1561
Birthplace: Tickenhill Palace, Bewdley, Worcs, England
Died: September 25, 1621
 36 
Odysseas Elytis
(Greek Poet and Essayist)
Odysseas Elytis
3
Birthdate: November 2, 1911
Birthplace: Heraklion, Greece
Died: March 18, 1996

Odysseas Elytis was a Greek poet, translator, and essayist. He is widely regarded as one of the most popular and important exponents of romantic modernism of his generation. He is also one of the most celebrated poets of the latter half of the 20th century. Odysseas Elytis was honored with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979.

 37 
Denise Levertov
(Poet)
Denise Levertov
3
Birthdate: October 24, 1923
Birthplace: Ilford, England
Died: December 20, 1997
 38 
Maxine Hong Kingston
(American Novelist)
Maxine Hong Kingston
3
Birthdate: October 27, 1940
Birthplace: Stockton, California, United States
 39 
Colley Cibber
(Former Actor and Poet Who Was a Theater Artist and a Manager)
Colley Cibber
4
Birthdate: November 6, 1671
Birthplace: London, England
Died: December 11, 1757
 40 
Gregorio López
(One of the Leading Chroniclers of the Mexican Revolution)
Gregorio López
3
Birthdate: November 17, 1897
Birthplace: Huasteca, Veracruz, Mexico
Died: December 10, 1966

One of the greatest chroniclers of the Mexican Revolution, Gregorio López y Fuentes was initially a teacher and then a journalist who wrote using the pseudonym Tulio F. Peseenz. He soared to fame with his iconic work Campamento (Encampment), followed by Tierra (Earth) and El indio (The Indian).

 41 
Marianne Moore
(Former modernist poet known for such witty works as "O To Be a Dragon" and "A Face.)
Marianne Moore
3
Birthdate: November 15, 1887
Birthplace: Kirkwood, Missouri, United States
Died: February 5, 1972
 42 
Constanzo Beschi
(Poet)
Constanzo Beschi
3
Birthdate: November 8, 1680
Birthplace: Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy
Died: February 4, 1747
 43 
Étienne de La Boétie
(Magistrate)
Étienne de La Boétie
3
Birthdate: November 1, 1530
Birthplace: Sarlat-la-Canéda, Périgord, France
Died: August 18, 1563
 44 
Heathcote Williams
(Actor, Poet, Author, Screenwriter, Writer)
Heathcote Williams
6
Birthdate: November 15, 1941
Birthplace: Helsby
 45 
Sukumar Ray
(Photographer, Poet, Writer, Illustrator, Playwright, Children's writer)
Sukumar Ray
3
Birthdate: October 30, 1887
Birthplace: Kolkata
Died: September 10, 1923

Sukumar Ray was a 19th-century Bengali writer and poet born in British India. He is most remembered for his writings for children. He was born into a prominent family as the son of a famous writer, painter, and instrumentalist. Sukumar Ray worked during the pinnacle of the Bengal Renaissance and was close friends with Rabindranath Tagore. 

 

 46 
Eldar Ryazanov
(Film Director, Screenwriter)
Eldar Ryazanov
4
Birthdate: November 18, 1927
Birthplace: Samara, Russia
Died: November 30, 2015
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 47 
Ilia Chavchavadze
(Journalist)
Ilia Chavchavadze
3
Birthdate: November 8, 1837
Birthplace: Kvareli, Georgia
Died: September 12, 1907
 48 
Arnold Bax
(Composer)
Arnold Bax
3
Birthdate: November 8, 1883
Birthplace: London, England
Died: October 3, 1953
 49 
Sharon Olds
(Poet, Writer, Feminist)
Sharon Olds
3
Birthdate: November 19, 1942
Birthplace: San Francisco
 50 
Stan Rice
(Poet, painter)
Stan Rice
0
Birthdate: November 7, 1942
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States
Died: December 9, 2002