Jen O'Neill

Most Recent Articles by Jen O'Neill

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  Happy Birthday, William Carlos Williams, Writer and Physician
  Celebrated writer William Carlos Williams is noted for his influence on the development of the short story form in 20th century American literature. His distinctive literary prose is marked by an exploration of human nature deepened by his lifelong commitment to his “day job” as a physician.
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  Happy Birthday, Leo Tolstoy, Author of “War and Peace”
  Leo Tolstoy proclaimed, “The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” His rebellion toward society, and his philosophical and idealistic outlook fashioned his paradoxical and inquisitive nature. His romantic prose, attitude for nonviolence, and dedication to ideals influenced many political and spiritual leaders. As professor Andy Kaufman points out, “he was more than a great writer, he was a phenomenon.”
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  Happy Birthday, Peter Sellers, Impressionist and Comedic Actor
  The shape-shifting aspects of Peter Sellers made him one of the most versatile actors around—his many faces, voices and impressions lending themselves to characters such as Inspector Clouseau and Dr. Strangelove. His comic genius coupled with his ability to completely immerse himself in the characters he portrayed made him beloved of audiences. Though his personal life was plagued by inner demons, he arguably shaped the nuances of British comedy we know today.
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  Happy Birthday, Jane Addams, First American Woman to Receive Nobel Peace Prize
  Jane Addams was a pioneer in the field of social work, a noted pacifist and internationalist, and one of the first to express the belief that education was the gateway to equality. Addams fearlessly took unpopular stances, which earned her both notoriety and status as the “second woman in history to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.”
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  Happy Birthday, Alex Haley, Author of “Roots”
  Alex Haley was said to have “walked the walk and talked the talk.” Characterized by his slow, honeyed voice, he was one of America’s greatest oral and written storytellers. As “the father of popular genealogy,” his timeless novel, “Roots,” illuminates and humanizes America’s era of slavery and ultimately reflects the personal mantra visible in all his work: “Find the good and praise it.”