HistoryJUL 21, 2023

I Found And Compiled 28 Interesting Facts From Literature History

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Authors are a special group of people, almost living in a world of their own, always on the hunt for inspiration. That being said, here are 28 highly interesting tidbits from the history of literature that I collected.

#1 Sci-Fi Writer Arthur C. Clarke Elaborately Predicted The Internet

Arthur C. Clarke, most famous for his sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, predicted many things throughout his literary career. For example, he predicted the internet in 1964, saying: '[We] will have in our own [console] through which we can talk to our friendly local computer and get all the information needed for everyday life, like our bank statements, our theater reservations... all the information we need.'

82points

My interest in the history of literature, and the intriguing facts I've uncovered, began with my love for books and stories. This passion not only propelled me into the enchanting worlds woven by writers but also sparked a curiosity about the stories behind these narratives and their creators. I wanted to understand the contextual landscapes that inspired these works and the unique journeys of the authors who penned them. The 28 tidbits of literary history I collected are a result of this curiosity. They are pieces of a vast puzzle that encompasses centuries of human thought, creativity, and expression.

#2 All The Proceeds Earned From J.M. Barrie’s Book "Peter Pan" Were Given To The Great Ormond Street Hospital For Sick Children In London

65points

#3 As A Schoolboy, Roald Dahl Was A Taste Tester For Cadbury’s Chocolate Eggs

This may explain the origins of the Welsh author's famous novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

64points

During my research into the world of literature, I've stumbled upon countless fascinating stories. However, one that stands out is the life and work of Danish poet Inger Christensen. Her exploration of the complex relationship between creativity, system, and chaos intrigued me. Christensen's works often revolve around the notion that everything is interconnected, creating a harmonious blend of mathematics and poetry. Her ability to articulate these intricate concepts through beautiful language is both surprising and inspiring, expanding my own understanding of what literature can achieve.

#4 John Steinbeck’s Dog Ate The Original Script For Of "Mice And Men"

Steinbeck's puppy was left alone one evening and found the manuscript in question. Steinbeck wrote to his agent, saying, 'I was pretty mad, but the poor little fellow may have been acting critically.'

63points

#5 Agatha Christie Is The Best-Selling Novelist Of All Time

The legendary author wrote a total of 66 detective novels, most of them revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

61points

There are many modern authors who I believe are making significant contributions to the field of literature. Authors like David Sedaris, whose razor-sharp wit illuminates our human foibles, and Paul Auster, whose intricate narratives delve into the complex labyrinth of identity and chance. Sally Rooney's insightful portrayals of contemporary relationships and Tom Rachman's keen exploration of personal success and failure are adding new layers to the literary canvas. Their works continue to push boundaries and open up new possibilities, enriching the ongoing narrative of human existence.

#6 Celebrated Novelist George Eliot Was Actually A Woman

George Eliot, one of the most celebrated British authors of the 19th century, was a woman. Although female authors were published under their own names during her lifetime, she wanted to avoid the stereotype of women's writing being limited to lighthearted romances or other lighter fare.

58points

#7 British Author Charles Dickens's House Had A Secret Door In The Form Of A Fake Bookcase

The fake books included titles such as ‘The Life of a Cat’ in 9 volumes.

57points

Delving into these literary facts and author stories has certainly deepened my perspective on literature. It's broadened my understanding of what triggers a good story, its components, and the intricate tapestry of influences that shape its characters and narrative. The shared connection between different eras, cultures, and individuals, seen through the lens of literature, underscores the universality of the human experience. It has reaffirmed my belief that literature, like life, is a constant process of evolution, a reflection of our continual quest for understanding, connection, and self-expression.

#8 Frank Baum, The Author Of The Wizard Of Oz, Named His Novel After A Filing Cabinet Kept In His Office

One cabinet was labeled “A to N,” and the second was labeled “O to Z.”

56points

#9 Sherlock Holmes Is The Most Portrayed Fictional Character In Movie History

More than 70 actors have taken the role.

56points

#10 William Shakespeare Is Said To Have Invented More Than 1,000 Words And Modern Everyday Phrases

The phrases "bookworm," "bibliophile," "vanish into thin air," "gloomy," "puking," "amazement," "countless," "gnarled," "radiance," "majestic," "critic," and "bedroom" had never before been recorded in English literature and were presumably coined by the playwright. The name Jessica is also said to have made its first appearance in his 1598 play "The Merchant of Venice."

54points

#11 The Monster In Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein" Has No Name

A common misunderstanding is that the monster is named Frankenstein, when in fact he remains nameless throughout the novel. It is thought that during a reading of the book, Shelley referred to the monster as 'Adam,' a nod to the Garden of Eden.

53points

#12 The Most Expensive Book Ever Purchased Cost Over 30 Million Dollars

Tech billionaire Bill Gates bought the Codex Leicester, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s scientific journals, for $30.8 million. The work consists of 18 sheets of paper, and is handwritten by Da Vinci, using his mirror writing.

51points

#13 The English Motorway M6 Was Built Upon 2.5 Million Discarded Copies Of Romance Novels

In 2003, approximately 2.5 million unsold books from the UK romance book publisher Mills & Boon were used in the reconstruction of an M6 motorway in the UK.

42points

#14 Talking Animals Were Initially Banned In China

In 1870 the Governor of Hunan Province in China banned Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland believing that animals should not be given the power to use the language of humans and to put animals and humans on the same level would be ”disastrous”.

40points

#15 Arthur Conan Doyle Helped Popularize Skiing By Being The First Author To Describe It In The English Language

39points

#16 The First Novel Was Written By Japanese Author Murasaki Shikibu Around The Year 1000

The Tale of Genji is a depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period.

39points

#17 "One Thousand And One Nights" Didn't Originally Contain The Tale Of Aladdin

The classic medieval collection One Thousand and One Nights didn't include the stories of Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and Sinbad the Sailor. These were added by French literature professor Jean Antoine Galland in the 18th century.

36points

#18 Sting Wrote The Song 'Every Breath You Take' At The Same Desk Where Ian Fleming Wrote His James Bond Novels

"Sting wrote the song 'Every Breath You Take' at the same desk that Ian Fleming used to write his James Bond novels. Sting was renting the Fleming Villa in Goldeneye on the island of Jamaica while composing the famous track.

33points

#19 C.S. Lewis Modeled The Protagonist Of The "Chronicles Of Narnia" On J.R.R. Tolkien

British writers J.R.R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings) and C.S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia) were close friends. While serving on the English faculty at Oxford University, they were active in the Oxford literary group known as the Inklings. They regularly read newly written passages of their work for feedback. Lewis even modeled the protagonist of his works after his friend and fellow author, J.R.R. Tolkien.

32points

#20 The Most Rejected Author In History Is Dick Wimmer, Having Been Rejected 162 Times

Many authors through the years have started their careers with their works being rejected over and over again before publication.

John Le Carré’s first novel, 'The Spy Who Came in From the Cold', was rejected by several publishers. One even remarked, 'He hasn’t got any future.' He was very wrong. The novel went on to become an international bestseller and won several literary awards.

'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling was rejected by twelve different publishers before her debut. Rowling has since sold over 450 million copies of her works.

John Grisham’s first novel, 'The Jury', was rejected 25 times before it was published.

The most rejected novelist ever was American writer Dick Wimmer. He received over 162 rejections over a span of 25 years. He spent a quarter of a century being told 'no'. He could have quit after 20 years, or after 150 rejections, and no one would have blamed him. But he kept at it.

Finally, his novel 'Irish Wine' was published in 1989 to positive reviews. The New York Times called it a 'taut, finely written, exhaustingly exuberant first novel.'" - the grammar of these sentences has been corrected.

32points

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