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The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Posted on September 16, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of blues singer and guitarist B.B. King, born in Itta Bena, Mississippi (1925). He was born into a black sharecropping family on a cotton plantation in the Mississippi Delta.

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Posted on September 15, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of Mary Clarissa Agatha Miller, better known as mystery writer Agatha Christie (1890), born in Torquay, Devon, England. Christie had an unconventional childhood: her parents didn’t send the children to school, preferring to keep them home and teaching them piano and violin.

The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, September 14, 2026

Posted on September 14, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of American essayist Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, born in Queens, New York (1934), and best known for her travel writing, interviews, and autobiographical essays.

The Writer’s Almanac for Sunday, September 13, 2026

Posted on September 13, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of the “Father of Bluegrass,” Bill Monroe, born in Rosine, Kentucky (1911), a brilliant mandolinist and a hard-driving tenor singer.

The Writer’s Almanac for Saturday, September 12, 2026

Posted on September 12, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

Today is the birthday of French scientist Irène Joliot-Curie, born in Paris (1897). She was the daughter of Pierre and Marie Curie. She was homeschooled as part of an educational experiment run by her parents and their friends.

The Writer’s Almanac for Friday, September 11, 2026

Posted on September 11, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

The Hope Diamond was stolen on this date in 1792. At that time, it was known as the French Blue. The dark blue gemstone came from a mine in India, and was originally about 112 carats.

The Writer’s Almanac for Thursday, September 10, 2026

Posted on September 10, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of poet Mary Oliver, born in Maple Heights, Ohio (1935). She had an unhappy childhood and was sexually abused as a very young girl. She spent most of her time outside, wandering around the woods, reading and writing poems.

The Writer’s Almanac for Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Posted on September 9, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of British novelist James Hilton, born in Leigh, Lancashire, England (1900). In the first decade of his writing career, he published more than 10 novels without receiving any attention. Then he wrote Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1934).

The Writer’s Almanac for Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Posted on September 8, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of novelist Grace Metalious, born in Manchester, New Hampshire (1924). She wrote the scandalous novel Peyton Place (1956) about a small New England town that is filled with sex, rape, murder, and suicide.

The Writer’s Almanac for Monday, September 7, 2026

Posted on September 7, 2026 - Writer's Almanac

It’s the birthday of Modernist poet Edith Sitwell, born in Scarborough, England (1887). Her parents, Sir George and Lady Ida Sitwell, were baffled by their daughter. While Lady Ida was a beauty, Edith was not.

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