- 1583 - Hugo Grotius, Dutch philosopher and writer born
- 1778 - William Hazlitt, English writer born
- 1906 - The Four Million, O. Henry's second short story collection, is published.
- 1913 - Stefan Heym, German author born
- 1937 - Bella Akhmadulina, Russian poet born
- 1941 - Paul Theroux, American author born
- 1997 - Michael Dorris, American author died
