- 1575 - Robert Hayman, English-born poet born
- 1771 - Sir Walter Scott, Scottish historical novelist born
- 1863 - Ernest Thayer, American poet born
- 1867 - John Galsworthy, English writer (The Forsyte Saga) born
- 1947 - Danielle Steel, American novelist born
- 1956 - Bertolt Brecht, German writer died
- 2004 - Czesław Miłosz, Polish-born writer died
