Biography

Who was Saint Patrick, and how much is legend? From slavery to missionary work, his story shaped Christian Ireland, blending history, myth, and cultural identity.

Pedro (not Pascal) Calderón de la Barca reminds us, through his plays, of honor and the importance of justice. To learn more about his life, read below.

Much of Márquez’s life was shaped by repression and political violence, beginning in his university years. How did this later influence him and his work? Read on to find out.

Maxim Gorky, born Aleksey Maksimovich Peshkov in Nizhny Novgorod on March 28, 1868, emerged as one of Russia’s most influential literary voices. Raised in an impoverished artisan family, Gorky’s life was defined by hardship and political exile. Read more!