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in 1852.

Alexandre Dumas, fils's stage adaptation of his 1848 novel La Dame aux caméllias is premièred at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris.

Shortly thereafter, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi set about putting the story to music in the 1853 opera La traviata, with female protagonist Marguerite Gautier renamed Violetta Valéry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_the_Camellias

La dame aux camélias at PG:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2419
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1608

Alphonse Mucha's poster for a performance of the theatrical version, with Sarah Bernhardt (1896).

in 1890.

L. Frank Baum begins publishing and editing his newspaper The Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The Pioneer presented Baum's views on politics, suffrage, tolerance, and religion, providing an important key for deciphering the themes which would later appear in his fictional works, especially his 14 Oz books. Due to financial problems the paper ceased publication, with the final issue of being published on March 21, 1891.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Aberdeen_Saturday_Pioneer

Copy of a portrait of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, c. 1911. George Steckel - Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library. Baum, who was in his mid-50s at the time, is depicted as a distinguished gentleman with neatly combed hair, a well-groomed mustache, and a thoughtful expression. He is dressed in formal attire, likely a suit with a high-collared shirt and tie, reflecting the fashion of the early 20th century.

«Lo que el alma hace por su cuerpo es lo que el artista hace por su pueblo.»

Chilean poet-diplomat & educator Gabriela Mistral died in 1957.

She was the 1st Ibero-American and the 2nd Latin American author to receive a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945. Mistral worked as a teacher in several schools and became an important thinker on the role of public education. As a poet, she is one of the most relevant figures in Chilean and Latin American literature.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriela_Mistral

Gabriela Mistral, Nobel laureate in Literature 1945. Gabriela Mistral is depicted in profile, facing downward in a contemplative pose. Her expression is calm and introspective, reflecting her thoughtful and poetic nature. Her hair is styled neatly, combed back in soft waves, a characteristic look of her later years. She is dressed in dark clothing, likely formal, which adds to the serious and respectful tone of the image.

On this day 9 years ago, I started my company Open By Default. (It went through a pause and a move from Sweden to the Netherlands during that time.) If you need any help in anything becoming more open or advice about working in the open, I'm here to help! https://openbydefault.se

French educator Luois Braille was born in 1809. He was the inventor of a reading and writing system named after him, braille, intended for use by visually impaired people.

At just 15 years old, Braille began refining Barbier's system, developing a code based on a six-dot cell structure that allowed for efficient representation of letters, numbers, and even musical notation.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Braille

The original braille code for the French language, as devised by Louis Braille c.1824.
Portrait of Louis Braille, author unknown. Braille is shown in a formal seated position or from the chest up, with a calm and composed demeanor. He wears 19th-century attire, often a dark, high-collared jacket or coat. His expression is serene and introspective, with youthful features that reflect his intelligence and determination.

"Nothing is stranger to man than his own image."

in 1921.

World premiere of the science fiction play R.U.R. (Rossumovi Univerzální Roboti) by the Czech writer Karel Čapek in a theater in Hradec Králové. It introduced the word "robot" to the English language and to science fiction as a whole.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.U.R.

R.U.R. at PG:
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/59112

Cover of the first edition of R.U.R. by Karel Čapek. Unknown author - Karel Čapek: R.U.R.: Rosumovi Univerzální Roboti. Vydalo Aventinum, Prague 1920. via answcdn.com This is the cover of the first edition of "R.U.R." (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Karel Čapek, a Czech playwright and author. Published in 1920, this science fiction drama is famous for introducing the word "robot" to the world. The play explores themes of industrialization, artificial intelligence, and the potential dangers of technological advancement.

in 1818.

Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus first appears anonymously in London.

Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818, when she was 20. Her name first appeared in the second edition, which was published in Paris in 1821.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein

1818 edition at PG:
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/41445
1831 edition
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/42324

Title page of first edition of Frankenstein, Volume I. Author Mary Shelley; publisher Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones It includes the following details: Title: Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus Volume Information: "In Three Volumes." Quotation: A quote from Paradise Lost by John Milton: Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mould me man? Did I solicit thee From darkness to promote me? Volume Number: "VOL. I." Publication Details: Published in London. Printed for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, located at Finsbury Square. Year of Publication: 1818.
Victor Frankenstein becoming disgusted at his creation. Illustration from the frontispiece of the 1831 edition. Steel engraving (993 x 71mm) to the revised edition of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, published by Colburn and Bentley, London 1831. The novel was first published in 1818.

It's ALIVE!

, 1 Jan 1818, Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' was published anonymously. Her gothic novel was also one of the first science-fiction novels.


painting of Mary Shelley by Rothwell. It shows a white woman with sloping shoulders, dark hair and gold glasses
Frontispiece of Frankenstein’s first edition without any author’s name on it.

in 1897.

Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac opens at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris with the theater's director, Coquelin aîné, in the title role. The applause lasts for more than an hour. The play is a fictionalisation following the broad outlines of Cyrano de Bergerac's life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(play)

Cyrano at PG:
https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1254

This is the title page of a printed edition of Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac. The author's name at the top: Edmond Rostand. The title of the play: Cyrano de Bergerac, written in large, bold letters. Comédie héroïque en cinq actes en vers (Heroic comedy in five acts in verse), indicating the play's genre and structure. Mention of the premiere performance: Représentée à Paris, sur le Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin, le 28 décembre 1897 (Performed in Paris at the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin on December 28, 1897). Edition details: Six cent trente-troisième mille (Six hundred thirty-third thousand), which may refer to the printing or popularity of the edition. Publication information: Paris, Librairie Charpentier et Fasquelle, Eugène Fasquelle, Éditeur, and the address 11, Rue de Grenelle, 11. Publication year: 1926.
Auteur(s): Chaperon, Eugène (Paris, 07–02–1857 - Paris, 27–12–1938), dessinateur Autre titre: cyrano de Bergerac - Porte St-Martin - Coquelin ainé et les Cadets de Gascogne. (Titre inscrit (lettre)) Date de production: En 1902 Type(s) d'objet(s): Dessin, Arts graphiques Dénomination(s): Dessin Dimensions - Oeuvre: Hauteur : 22 cm Largeur : 30 cm Dimensions - Passe-partout du musée: Hauteur : 40 cm Largeur : 50 cm Marques, inscriptions, poinçons: Numéro d'inventaire - Au recto, sur le dessin en bas à droite, manuscrit à l'encre rouge : "ied 3910".

in 1923.

George Bernard Shaw's drama Saint Joan is premièred at the Garrick Theatre (New York City) on Broadway by the Theatre Guild, with Winifred Lenihan in the title role. The text of the published play includes a long Preface by Shaw.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joan_(play)

Saint Joan: A chronicle play in six scenes and an epilogue is being proofed by @DProofreaders and will be published by PG pretty soon.

Constable & Co., Ltd. cover, 1924. Cover for George Bernard Shaw's play Saint Joan. The text prominently features the title of the play, Saint Joan, and the author's name, Bernard Shaw. Below, it mentions: "With stage settings & sketches by C. Ricketts," indicating that Charles Ricketts contributed to the visual elements of the production or its publication.~ "Constable & Co. Ltd," which could refer to the publisher of the book or play. The artwork depicts a stylized figure of Joan of Arc, shown in a crucifixion-like pose, wearing a long, patterned robe. Her design incorporates medieval and symbolic elements, reflective of the play's historical and spiritual themes. The background includes circular and decorative motifs, adding a sense of reverence and artistry to the illustration.