James Fenimore Cooper (1789 - 1851)

Author. He was the first major American novelist who wrote numerous sea-stories as well as historical romances known as the “Leatherstock Tales,” a series of frontier adventure novels featuring  fictional character ‘Natty Pumppo’ who lives free, close to nature while the settlers bring civilization that destroys the wilderness,  “The Last of the Mohicans” an adventure […]

Headley George Cooling (1970 - 1944)

Journalist.

Alistair Cooke (1908 - 2004)

Television Personality. British Broadcaster and Commentator for BBC Radio and Television.  He is best remembered for his “Letters from America” series for BBC World Service, and for hosting the “Masterpiece Theatre” television series from 1971 to 1992.   He received four Emmy Awards, three George Foster Peabody awards for broadcasting, and was made an honorary […]

Theodore Andrea Cook (1867 - 1928)

Journalist, Writer and Sportsman. He worked on the London Daily Telegraph before becoming editor of The Field in 1910. After studying Classics and rowing for Oxford University, he captained the English fencing team in several international competitions. He was the author of many acclaimed travel and history books, including Rouen and Old Touraine. (bio by: […]

George Cram “Jig” Cook (1873 - 1924)

Author, poet, playwright, theater producer. Born to a prominent pioneer family in Davenport, Iowa, he was educated in the Davenport public schools before earning a B.A. at Harvard University then studying in Heidelberg, Germany, as well as at the Université de Genève in Switzerland. Upon his return to the United States, he became a professor […]

José María Contursi (1911 - 1972)

Renowned poet and lyricist. Sensitive and prolific, Contursi created a great number of popular works. He was he son of Pascual Contursi, the creator of the tango canción. Among his outstanding lyrics are “Claveles Blancos,” “Garras,” “Tu,” among many others. His masterpiece is “Gricel,” based on his own love story. (bio by: 380W)  Family links: […]

Benjamin Constant (1767 - 1830)

Political philosopher, now mainly remembered for his semi-autobiographical, and rather scandalous, novella , ‘Adolphe’. “Whenever there is no absolute necessity, whenever legislation may fail to intervene without society being overthrown, whenever, finally it is a question merely of some hypothetical improvement, the law must abstain, leave things alone, and keep quiet.” (bio by: David Conway)

Hendrik Conscience (1812 - 1883)

Flemish writer.

Pat Conroy (1945 - 2016)

Pat Conroy Author.  Donald Patrick Conroy was born into a military family and was heavily influenced by his military upbringing.  He was a graduate of The Citadel and his experiences there provided the basis of two of his works, “The Lords of Discipline” and “My Losing Season.”  After graduating from The Citadel, Conroy taught English […]

Joseph Conrad (1857 - 1924)

Author. Born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in Berdyczów, now in the Ukraine, he changed his name to Joseph Conrad in 1886 when he became a British citizen, and gained his Master Mariner’s Certificate. He retired from the sea in 1894, after various adventures including gun-running and duelling, which served him well as material for his […]

Cyril Connolly (1903 - 1974)

Author, Journalist. A schoolmate of George Orwell at St Cyprian’s and Eto, he remained a life-long friend of the author. He wrote ‘The Rock Pool’, ‘Enemies of Promise’, ‘Unquiet Grave’ and ‘The Modern Movement – 100 Key Books’. He also founded and edited ‘Horizon’ literary magazine. He was a prolific book reviewer and also reported […]

Evan S. Connell (1924 - 2013)

Author. Best known for penning the pair of novels “Mrs. Bridge” (1959) and “Mr. Bridge” (1969), for which were made into a motion picture adaptation that starred Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. The son of a physician, he chose to follow his dreams of becoming a writer despite of his father’s idea that he pursue […]

Idanell “Nellie” Brill Connally (1919 - 2006)

Historical Figure, Author. Former Texas First Lady from 1963-1969.  Wife of Governor John Connally.  Last survivor of the car that carried President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. On November 22, 1963, it was Mrs. Connally that uttered the last words the president heard, “Mr. President, you can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you,” moments later those fateful shots […]

William Congreve (1670 - 1729)

Playwright. He was educated in Ireland, a friend and fellow student of  Jonathan Swift,  and turned to literature upon his arrival in London. An unsuccessful attempt at a novel, ‘Incognita’, was followed by the success of a comedy ‘The Old Bachelor’, which appeared in 1693. More comedies of manners followed.  Anne Bracegirdle, an enchanting actress […]

Charles Taber Congdon (1821 - 1891)

Journalist and author. Correspondent for the Boston Courier and to many magazine, including Vanity Fair, Knickerbocker Magazine. Wrote ‘Flowers Plucked by a Traveller on the Journey of Life'(poem), ‘The Warning of War’, and ‘Reminiscences of a Journalist.’ (bio by: Laurie)  Family links:  Spouse:  Charlotte E Baylies Congdon (1820 – 1859)* *Calculated relationship

Carmen Conde (1907 - 1996)

Noted Spanish Writer. She was the first woman to become a member of Royal Spanish Academy in 1978. She is remembered for her books “Brocal,” “Júbilos,” “A Este Lado de la Eternidad,” “Las Oscuras Raíces” and “Soy la Madre.” (bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni)

Auguste Comte (1798 - 1857)

French philosopher and sociologist. Born Isidore Marie Auguste François Xavier, is considered the founder of a pragmatic ideology, known as Positivism. In contrast to the metaphysical claims of Hegelian Idealism, he enunciated the theory of the priority of Scientific Knowledge in his work “Cours de philosophie positive”. His doctrine is far removed from materialism and […]

Ivy Compton-Burnett (1884 - 1969)

Author. Her novels describe human weaknesses in ordinary domestic situations. Some of her best known books include “Pastors and Masters” (1925), “Two Worlds and Their Ways” (1949), and “Darkness and Day” (1951). She had a unique writing style that required the readers to pay close attention to the dialogue in order to follow the plot. […]

Henry Steele Commager (1902 - 1998)

Historian. He authored over 40 books and 700 papers, and was well known for his outspokenness on the topics of McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, and Civil Liberties. A professor at Columbia University, New York University, and Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, for many years, he was the author of works such as “The Growth Of […]

Betty Comden (1917 - 2006)

Lyricist, Screenwriter. Born Elizabeth Cohen in Brooklyn. Along with her longtime collaborator Adolph Green, she wrote the lyrics and often the librettos for some of the most celebrated musicals of stage and screen. During a professional partnership that lasted for more than 60 years, and which finally ended with Adolph Green’s death in 2002, they […]

Padraic Colum (1881 - 1972)

Author.  A major figure in twentieth century literature, Colum’s sphere of work included his involvement in the Irish literay revival, children’s literature, and translations from Gaelic into English.  As the eldest of eight children, he accompanied his father to the United States to participate in the Colorado Gold Rush, and as an adult he frequently […]

Félix Coluccio (1911 - 2005)

Historian. One of the most recognized Folklore experts in Argentina, he wrote many books,  including  “Fiestas de América,” “Folklore para la Escuela,” “Paisaje y Pintura,” “Folklore del Noroeste,” and “Diccionario Folklórico Argentino.” (bio by: 380W)

Charles Wendell Colson (1931 - 2012)

US Presidential Official, Watergate Figure, Author. He served as Special Council to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973. Raised during the “Great Depression” era under impoverished circumstances, the New England native managed to attend Brown University from where he received his BA and later attained his law degree from George Washington University. After service […]

Bert E Collyer (1876 - 1938)

Journalist. As a young boy he settled in Guelph, Ontario with his parents. Early on in his career as a journalist he would cover stories during the Gold Rush in Alaska, such as the Chilkoot Pass Avalanche in 1898. As his writing career grew he would become a sports writer in Chicago. He was known […]

Carlo Collodi (1826 - 1890)

Author. Real name Carlo Lorenzini. Born in Florence, he took his pen name from his mother’s native village. He worked for many years as a journalist and began writing fairy tales in 1856. Collodi’s book “The Adventures of Pinocchio” (1883) is one of the most famous children’s stories of all time.  It has been filmed […]

Wilkie Collins (1824 - 1889)

Author. He was born to a creative family. His father became an associate member of the Royal Academy in 1814 and a full member in 1820 painting more than 200 works and was one of the most famous artists of his day with both wealthy and aristocratic patrons. His maternal aunt Margaret Carpenter was also […]

William Gershom Collingwood (1854 - 1932)

Author, Artist, Antiquary. After a brilliant academic career at Oxford, where he was a pupil of John Ruskin, he married and settled at Gillhead, Windermere. He was influenced by Ruskin and William Morris, from whom he derived a life-long interest in Norse settlement, art and language. His interest in art and Scandinavia prompted his research […]

Robin George Collingwood (1889 - 1943)

Philosopher, Historian. The son of William Gershom Collingwood, he was awarded a fellowship at Oxford in 1912, and apart from military service in Admiralty Intelligence from 1914 to 1918, he spent the remainder of his professional life at Oxford, being appointed Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy in 1935. Much of his early work was in theology […]

Pierre Collings (1902 - 1937)

Screenwriter,  Cinematographer.  He won two Academy Awards,  for Best Original Story and Best Screenplay,  for “The Story of Louis Pasteur” (1936).  This film,  which also won an Oscar for star  Paul Muni,  launched Warner Bros.’ famous series of biopics of the late 1930s.  Collings was born in Nova Scotia,  Canada,  and entered films as an […]

Camilla Wergeland Collett (1813 - 1895)

Author. She was called the first Norwegian feminist, and founded the genre of “realism” in Norwegian literature. Raised in a literary family (the younger sister of poet Henrik Wergeland), she started writing professionally soon after her marriage in 1841. Her only novel “Amtmandens Dottre” (“The District Governor’s Daughters”) was published, at first anonymously, in 1854 […]