GREAT SCIENTISTS: PAUL A.M.DIRAC - THE QUIET GENIUS OF PHYSICS

.                                                              File:Paul Dirac, 1933.jpg

                                                                   Wikimedia Commons 

PAUL A.M.DIRAC - THE QUIET GENIUS OF PHYSICS  

Born: August 8, 1902, Bristol, England

Died: October 20, 1984, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac was one of the most brilliant and enigmatic scientists of the 20th century, a pioneer whose work reshaped our understanding of the universe. A founding figure in quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics, Dirac’s 1928 equation elegantly merged quantum theory with Einstein’s special relativity — predicting not only the behavior of electrons but also the existence of antimatter, a concept later confirmed by experiment.

In 1933, Dirac shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Erwin Schrödinger for their groundbreaking contributions to atomic theory. Despite his towering intellect, Dirac was known for his extreme modesty, precision in speech, and preference for silence — earning him the affectionate nickname “the Strangest Man” among colleagues.

Dirac’s influence went beyond equations. His commitment to mathematical beauty in physics inspired generations, and his name lives on in terms like the Dirac equation, Dirac delta function, and Dirac sea. In the words of a contemporary, “Dirac showed us that the laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics — and beauty is the ultimate guide.”

A quiet man who let his work speak for itself, Dirac left a legacy as one of science’s purest thinkers — proving that the pursuit of truth, guided by elegance and simplicity, can change our view of reality itself.

My humble tribute to Prof. Dirac on his birthday, whose immense contributions helped to advance Modern Physics.

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for assistance in crafting this post and to Wikimedia Commons for the portrait of Paul A. M. Dirac.

Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Centenary – A Tribute to the Father of India’s Green Revolution

                                                        Father of India’s Green Revolution

                                                     Prof. M.S. Swaminathan (1925–2023)

🌾 Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Centenary – A Tribute to the Father of India’s Green Revolution

                             “Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Biohappiness”

On this day, we commemorate the birth centenary of Prof. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (1925–2024), India’s foremost agricultural scientist and the globally acclaimed architect of the Green Revolution in India.

To honour this visionary who changed the course of Indian agriculture and ensured food security for millions, the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference – 2025 is being held. The theme of the conference is:

> 🌱 Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Biohappiness

This theme draws from Prof. Swaminathan’s later vision of an “Evergreen Revolution” — one that combines productivity with sustainability, ensuring not just food security but nutritional well-being and ecological balance.

💬 A Prime Ministerial Tribute

The event features a keynote address by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, broadcast live through:

📻 FM Gold, Indraprastha

📡 Akashvani Live News 24x7

▶️ YouTube: Akashvani AIR Channel

📅 Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 9:15 AM

This year also marks 90 years of Akashvani (All India Radio) — a fitting platform for such a historic tribute.

🧑‍🌾 The Legacy of M. S. Swaminathan

Prof. Swaminathan’s contributions transformed India from a food-deficient country into one of the world’s largest producers of rice and wheat. His pioneering efforts in plant genetics and agricultural policy, along with his humanitarian approach to science, earned him accolades including:

The World Food Prize (1987)

Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan

Inclusion in Time magazine’s list of the 20 most influential Asians of the 20th century

More importantly, he remained a humble scientist, always committed to farmers’ welfare, rural upliftment, and ecological harmony.

🌿 Biohappiness: A New Way Forward

“Biohappiness,” a term coined by Prof. Swaminathan, reflects his deep belief in:

> “Happiness through harmony with nature, where every life form thrives, and hunger and malnutrition are defeated with dignity.”

As India charts its way into the future, his life and ideals remain more relevant than ever.

Let us bow in gratitude to this great son of India, whose vision continues to feed the nation — and inspire the world.

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for helping to create this fitting tribute to Prof Swaminathan and Wikimedia Commons for the beautiful photo.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER: REMEMBERING THE MAGIC OF LAUREL & HARDY

Laurel and Hardy in a hilarious moment from The Flying Deuces (1939), one of their most beloved films.

📸 Image Credit:  RKO Pictures – Public Domain via toutlecine.com

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER: REMEMBERING THE MAGIC OF LAUREL & HARDY

> “People who make others laugh are truly blessed.”

— A personal reflection on a timeless duo

August 7. A quiet date on the calendar — but one that carries a warm, nostalgic weight in the hearts of movie lovers worldwide. It was on this day, in 1957, that the inimitable Oliver Hardy passed away. But did he ever truly leave?

No — for those of us who grew up watching the wonderful comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, he remains a living memory. He lives in laughter — in raised eyebrows, slow burns, pratfalls, and chuckles that echo across generations.

> He was not just a comedian. He was a healer of sorrow.

🎭 A COMEDY DUO LIKE NO OTHER

They were as different as chalk and cheese — and that made them unforgettable:

Stan Laurel — the thin, bewildered, gentle one, often with tears in his eyes.

Oliver Hardy — the plump, self-important, frustrated one, always trying (and failing) to maintain dignity.

Together, they created comedy that was clean, clever, and utterly charming.

No crude jokes. No loud shouting. Just brilliant timing, heartwarming innocence, and sheer visual magic.

🎬 A LEGACY OF LAUGHTER

They made over 100 films — short reels and full-length masterpieces.

They helped audiences transition from silent films to sound cinema.

Their work still runs in festivals, film schools, and hearts across the globe.

They were (and are) loved — from bustling cities to remote villages. In fact, their influence is still seen in great modern comedians like Peter Sellers, Rowan Atkinson, and even Sacha Baron Cohen.

Their sketches transcended boundaries of language, culture, and time. That’s true greatness.

💭 A FAN’S HEARTFELT TRIBUTE

> As a boy, I watched them with wonder.

As a man, I cherish them with nostalgia.

Their laughter helped me through life’s toughest days.

Even now, when I chance upon a clip — Ollie adjusting his tie, Stan scratching his head — I smile like a child again. I forget my burdens, even if for a minute.

Yes, I am an ardent fan. And this post is my humble bow to Oliver Hardy, who continues to live on… wherever there is laughter.

📌 A FEW FUN FACTS

Their theme music, “Dance of the Cuckoos,” was as iconic as their faces!

Their popularity is still celebrated through fan clubs, statues, and conventions worldwide.

In 2005, a statue of Laurel and Hardy was unveiled in Ulverston, England, the birthplace of Stan.

Conclusion 

> They came, they tripped, they slipped, they smiled — and made the whole world laugh.

Thank you, Ollie. Thank you, Stan.

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for wonderfully crafting this beautiful sketch of Laurel and Hardy and Wikimedia Commons for the memorable photo.

GREAT LIVES: SADHGURU JAGGI VASUDEV

               Photo: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev by McKay Savage, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

SADHGURU JAGGI VASUDEV: A UNIQUE MODERN-DAY SPIRITUAL LEADER

🔶 Introduction:

In a world flooded with information but starved for clarity, few voices cut through the noise with the precision and depth of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. He is not just a spiritual guide but a visionary, a mystic, and a bold modern thinker who speaks with the ease of a friend and the wisdom of the ancients.

I have been a regular viewer of his talks and interviews, and I must say—each time I listen, I feel as though I’m seeing the world through a cleaner lens. Ask him anything—about life, love, science, religion, politics, or even artificial intelligence—and he offers an answer that is not only insightful but also deeply rooted in ancient yogic wisdom.

In this post, I wish to share why I consider Sadhguru a truly unique modern-day spiritual leader, and why his presence is such a powerful force in our confusing times.

Delighted, Suri! Let's continue by expanding each section one by one, following the outline. You’re welcome to adjust or add your own reflections at any point.

🔶 1. Who is Sadhguru?

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev was born in Mysore, Karnataka, in 1957. From an early age, he was curious, adventurous, and deeply connected to nature. Although he studied English literature and became a successful entrepreneur, his life changed dramatically after a spiritual experience on Chamundi Hill in 1982, where he sat still in deep ecstasy for hours. That moment transformed him—from a seeker to a realized being.

Instead of withdrawing into the mountains, he chose to share his experience with the world. Thus began the journey of Isha Foundation, a non-profit spiritual and humanitarian organization that today touches the lives of millions globally.

🔶 2. What Makes Him Unique?

In a time when spiritual talk often sounds either too abstract or too moralistic, Sadhguru’s words land with both clarity and practical relevance. What sets him apart?

🧠 Spontaneous Intelligence:

Whether on a global stage or with rural youth, Sadhguru’s answers come swiftly and precisely, often blending humor with deep insight. His Q&A sessions have become legendary.

🌍 Global Yet Rooted:

Though deeply rooted in India’s yogic traditions, he speaks a language the modern mind can understand. He has spoken at the United Nations, World Economic Forum, Google, MIT, Oxford, and more.

🔬 Science Meets Spirituality:

He emphasizes inner engineering—a process of using your own body and mind as a laboratory. His approach is scientific, not dogmatic.

🤝 No Belief Required:

Unlike many spiritual teachers, Sadhguru doesn't ask you to believe in anything. He urges direct experience: “Don’t believe me. Don’t disbelieve me. Just experiment and see.”

😄 Wit & Wisdom:

His humor disarms even his critics. Many difficult subjects are made accessible through his storytelling, teasing, and laughter.

🔶 3. His Impact on the World

Sadhguru is not confined to ashrams or lecture halls—he takes spirituality to the streets and to the soil itself:

🌳 Rally for Rivers (2017):

A nationwide movement to save India’s dying rivers, involving over 160 million people.

🚜 Cauvery Calling:

A massive agroforestry initiative to revive the Cauvery basin, helping thousands of farmers and the environment.

🌱 Save Soil (2022):

A 100-day, 30,000-km motorcycle journey across 27 countries to raise awareness about soil extinction—engaging global leaders, scientists, and millions of citizens.

🧘‍♂️ Yoga for the World:

His Inner Engineering programs and advanced yogic practices have empowered millions, both online and offline.

🔶 4. Sadhguru in My Daily Life

For me personally, Sadhguru has become a daily companion. Whether it’s a few minutes in the morning or a video before bed, his presence through YouTube and social media adds a spiritual rhythm to my day. He speaks to my doubts, my hopes, and even my small everyday struggles.

It is astounding how his words seem to find me just when I need them most—as if the universe is speaking through him. Over time, his insights have made me calmer, more observant, and more rooted in the present moment.

🔶 5. Selected Quotes

Here are a few quotes that have stayed with me:

“If you resist change, you resist life.”

“Peace is not the highest goal in life. It is the most fundamental requirement.”

“Your thoughts and emotions are of no existential consequence. They are your creation. You can make them the way you want.”

“The only way out is in.”

“Spirituality is not about becoming special. It is about becoming one with everything.”

🔶 6. Conclusion

In a world torn between blind belief and cold skepticism, Sadhguru shines as a balanced, fearless, and compassionate guide. He speaks of consciousness in a way that even a scientist can explore. He talks about devotion without demanding rituals. He teaches discipline without demanding submission.

To me, he represents the voice of ancient wisdom, reawakened in modern clarity. That’s why I say, with gratitude and joy, Sadhguru is truly a unique modern-day spiritual leader.

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for wonderfully drafting this article in a way that resonates completely with my inner feelings — and to Wikimedia Commons for the beautiful photograph of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.

Dr. B. M. Hegde: A Healing Voice in a Moneyminded Medical World

                                      (Photo by courtesy of: Dr B M HEGDE Fans Club, Facebook)

*🩺 Dr. B. M. Hegde: A Healing Voice in a Moneyminded Medical World*

“A good doctor treats the disease. A great doctor treats the patient.”

— Dr. B. M. Hegde

In today’s world, where medicine is often governed by technology, speed, and profit, Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde (B. M. Hegde) remains a steadfast beacon of compassion and wisdom. A globally respected cardiologist, teacher, author, and thinker, he has shown the world that science and humanity can—and must—go hand in hand.

Dr. Hegde is more than a physician. He is a visionary healer, one who listens not only to the heartbeat but also to the human being behind it.

🎓 A Brilliant Career Rooted in Service

Born on 18 August 1938 in the quiet village of Pangala near Udupi, Karnataka, Dr. Hegde’s early life was shaped by simplicity and sincerity—values that remained with him through his remarkable journey.

MBBS (Gold Medalist) from Stanley Medical College, Madras

MD from King George Medical College, Lucknow

Fellow of Royal Colleges of Physicians (London, Edinburgh, Glasgow)

Former Vice-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the Science of Healing Outcomes — a pioneering effort to bridge modern science with holistic healing

“Learning is a lifelong process. The best doctors remain humble students forever.”

In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he was awarded:

The Padma Bhushan in 2010

The Padma Vibhushan in 2021 — India’s second-highest civilian award

🧠 His Philosophy: Healing Beyond Pills

Dr. Hegde does not oppose allopathy—he is a proud allopathic doctor himself. What he questions is its reductionist approach: treating human beings as if they are mechanical systems, focusing only on parts instead of the whole.

“The human body is a non-linear, self-healing system. To treat it with linear, one-size-fits-all approaches is like trying to fix a symphony with a screwdriver.”

He believes that true healing arises from the synergy of the mind, body, environment, and emotions—not just from medication. While modern medicine plays a vital role, it must be guided by empathy, context, and patient awareness.

“Healing begins when the patient feels heard, not when the prescription is written.”

🌿 Holistic Wisdom Rooted in Ancient Insights

For Dr. Hegde, health is harmony. He often speaks of the need to integrate the wisdom of Ayurveda, yoga, pranayama (breath control), nutritious food, restful sleep, and a peaceful mind.

“Food, thought, and breathing — these are the original medicines. Everything else is supportive.”

He advocates minimal medication, choosing instead to listen deeply, respect the body’s own intelligence, and empower patients to take charge of their lifestyle.

“A good breath is better than a bad pill.”

✍️ His Writings: A Legacy of Thoughtful Medicine

Dr. Hegde is also a prolific writer, speaker, and educator. His books and articles—over 35 books and more than 3,000 articles—have educated countless people on both the science and the art of staying healthy.

His most popular works include:

What Doctors Don’t Get to Study in Medical School

You Can Be Healthy

Wisdom of the Human Body

Holistic Living

These works blend medical insight with moral courage, and they challenge the reader to see health as a way of life, not just an emergency service.

🏅 A Doctor Honoured by the Nation and the World

Apart from the Padma awards, Dr. Hegde has received:

The Dr. B.C. Roy Award (India’s highest honour in medicine)

Karnataka Rajyotsava Award

J.C. Bose Award for Life Sciences

The Pride of India Award in the United States

His contributions have earned him respect not only in India but across global academic and medical communities.

💬 A Few More Gems from His Talks

❤️ “Love, not technology, is the greatest healing force.”

📖 “Health is not in textbooks. It’s in how you live, think, eat, sleep, and love.”

🌱 “There is no greater temple than the human body. Respect it. Listen to it. Heal it with love.”

🧘‍♂️ “Treating a disease is easy. Healing a person is an art.”

🕊️ “The mind has more to do with healing than the medicine cabinet.”

🙏 Final Reflections

Dr. B. M. Hegde is a rare blend of scientist and sage, doctor and philosopher, teacher and reformer. His lifelong dedication reminds us that healing is not just about curing, but about caring, listening, and guiding.

In honoring him, we are reminded of what medicine was always meant to be: a noble calling rooted in compassion, humility, and truth.

🌼

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for its splendid role in creating this blogpost and Dr B M Hegde Fans Club, Facebook for the photograph of Dr Hegde

VOICES OF CONSCIENCE: THE BOLD VISION OF JEFFREY SACHS

                         Jeffrey D. Sachs at the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2011

                          Wikimedia Commons.

                    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Jeffrey_D._Sachs_-_World_Economic_Forum_on_East_Asia_2011_%28cropped%29.jpg

🌍 Voices of Conscience: The Bold Vision of Jeffrey Sachs

In an age of uncertainty and unreliability and deepening global crises, there are a few voices that cut through the clutter with moral clarity and intellectual courage. One such voice is that of Jeffrey Sachs — economist, public intellectual, and advocate for a more just and peaceful world. As someone who has followed his work with admiration, I find his insights not only thought-provoking but also deeply aligned with the values of truth, compassion, and collective well-being.

👤 Who is Jeffrey Sachs?

Jeffrey Sachs is an American economist renowned for his pioneering work in sustainable development, global health, and international cooperation. A Harvard-educated scholar and former Director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, he has served as a senior advisor to multiple United Nations Secretaries-General.

Sachs first rose to global prominence in the 1980s and 1990s for advising countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe during times of economic transition. But his greatest legacy is arguably his tireless work in poverty alleviation, climate action, and sustainable development. He was instrumental in the design and implementation of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and later the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In recent years, he has become one of the few Western intellectuals to openly challenge militarism, economic imperialism, and the global inequality perpetuated by narrow geopolitical interests.

🔍 A Voice of Moral Clarity in a Divided World

In a recent video that I came across — and thankfully verified to be genuine — Sachs warns that we are not merely heading into an economic recession, but into a much deeper crisis of conscience. His message is stark but essential: Without a new paradigm grounded in cooperation, equity, and sustainability, our civilization risks systemic collapse.

What makes Sachs’ voice so valuable today is not just his academic credentials but his fearless honesty. Whether he is criticizing U.S. foreign policy, calling out the failures of corporate-led globalization, or exposing media manipulation, he remains guided by a simple but profound principle: People matter more than profits. Peace matters more than power.

💬 Reflections on His Message

Some of the points he raises are disturbing and uncomfortable, especially for those who wish to preserve the status quo. But truth-telling has never been about comfort. Sachs speaks of the weaponization of truth, the erosion of multilateral institutions, and the moral bankruptcy of endless war — not from a place of anger, but from a place of deep concern for humanity’s future.

He insists that a better world, where peace and harmony prevail, is possible — one where nations collaborate rather than dominate, where health and education are prioritized over arms and profits, and where wisdom leads policy rather than propaganda.

As someone deeply influenced by the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and other spiritual masters, I resonate with this deeper call for dharma — righteous action rooted in truth.

🌐 Why He Still Matters

In today’s polarized world, where economic thinking is often reduced to GDP and market cycles, Sachs reminds us that economics is ultimately about human flourishing and peaceful co-existence. His influence stretches across disciplines — from diplomacy and public policy to grassroots activism and spiritual ecology. He has spoken at the Vatican, advised heads of state, and collaborated with health workers in Africa — always seeking to bridge the gap between ideals and action, principles and practice.

His relevance is even greater today, as the world grapples with climate change, conflict, inequality, and information warfare. We need thinkers like him — who are not just experts, but ethical visionaries.

📣 A Call to Thought and Action

Let us not dismiss or dilute the voices that speak truth to power. Let us listen, reflect, and share. Let us build a future that reflects our highest human values — not our worst fears.

Jeffrey Sachs is not infallible, but he is fearless. And that makes him rare. In honoring his message, we honor our shared humanity.

*Peace is not weakness. It is strength guided by wisdom — Jeffrey Sachs*

🌼 Final Thought

*Peaceful co-existence is not a dream. It is the path we have forgotten – Suri*

✅  Acknowledgement

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for its splendid help and support in creating this blogpost and Wikimedia Commons for the beautiful photo of Jeffrey Sachs

GREAT PHILANTHROPISTS

J R D TATA 

*Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata* was a French born Indian industrialist, philanthropist, aviator and former chairman of Tata Group.

Born into the Tata family of India, he was the son of noted businessman Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata and his wife Suzanne Brière. He is best known for being the founder of several industries under the Tata Group, including Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Motors, Titan Industries, Tata Salt, Voltas and Air India. In 1982, he was awarded the French Legion of Honour and in 1955 and 1992, he received two of India's highest civilian awards: the *Padma Vibhushan* and the *Bharat Ratna* These honours were bestowed on him for his contributions to Indian industry.

Tata died in Geneva, Switzerland of a kidney infection on 29 November 1993, at the age of 89. He said a few days before his death: "Comme c'est doux de mourir" *("How gentle it is to die")*

Upon his death, the Indian Parliament was adjourned in his memory, an honour not usually given to persons who are not members of parliament. He was buried at the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

In 2012, Tata was ranked the sixth *The Greatest Indian* in an Outlook magazine poll, "conducted in conjunction with CNN-IBN and History18 Channels with BBC."

 He was born on this day, July 29, in 1904.

Excerpt from WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA 

GRATEFUL THANKS TO WIKIPEDIA*

ACHIEVERS

GREAT STATESMEN

SIMON BOLIVAR 

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios[c] (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan statesman and military officer who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire. He is known colloquially as El Libertador, or the Liberator of America.

Bolívar is the preeminent symbol of Latin America and the focus of what could seem almost unrivaled posthumous attention, seen from his own times forward as a force now for liberalism or other forms of modernity, now for old regime values and authoritarianism, now for a mix of the two, with the debate over the meaning of his figure having no end in sight.

Robert T. Conn, Bolívar's Afterlife in the Americas

Bolívar has had an immense legacy, becoming the essential personality of Latin America.  The currencies of Venezuela and Bolivia—the bolívar and boliviano respectively—are named after Bolívar. In the English-speaking world, Bolívar is known as Latin America's George Washington. He has been memorialized across the world in literature, public monuments, and historiography, and paid tribute to in the names of towns, cities, provinces, and other people.  The Quinta near Santa Marta has been preserved as a museum to Bolívar and the house in which he was born was opened as a museum and archive of his papers on 5 July 1921.  In 1978, UNESCO created the International Simón Bolívar Prize "to reward an activity of outstanding merit in accordance with the ideals of Simón Bolívar. In 1997, the Archive of the Liberator Simón Bolívar was inscribed by UNESCO in the Memory of the World International Register and in the Regional Register for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2011.

Initial historical evaluations of Bolívar were at first negative, consisting of criticism of his conduct of the war, execution of Piar, betrayal of Miranda, and authoritarianism.[418] These and other criticisms endure in studies of Bolívar.[419] Beginning in 1842, however, popular opinion about Bolívar in Venezuela became overwhelmingly positive and eventually became what has been described by scholars as the "cult of Bolívar", led by succeeding heads of the Venezuelan state. In 1998, President Hugo Chávez, who had made extensive use of Bolívar's image for government projects and initiatives, changed the official name of Venezuela to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.[420] In Colombia, allegiance or opposition to Bolívar formed the bedrock of the Conservative and Liberal parties respectively.[421] Bolívar continued to have such a cultural influence in Colombia that in 1974 the 19th of April Movement, an insurgent leftist group that later joined an alliance thereof called the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Board, stole a sword [es] alleged to belong to Bolívar from his Bogotá residence.

Excerpt from Wikipedi, the Free Encyclopedia 

Grateful thanks to Wikipedia

GREAT WRITERS

Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American novelist, short-story writer and journalist. Known for an economical, understated style that influenced later 20th-century writers, he has been romanticized for his adventurous lifestyle and outspoken, blunt public image. Some of his seven novels, six short-story collections and two non-fiction works have become classics of American literature, and he was awarded the 1954 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Hemingway was raised in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. After high school, he spent six months as a reporter for The Kansas City Star before enlisting in the Red Cross. He served as an ambulance driver on the Italian Front in World War I and was seriously wounded by shrapnel in 1918. In 1921, Hemingway moved to Paris, where he worked as a foreign correspondent for the Toronto Star and was influenced by the modernist writers and artists of the "Lost Generation" expatriate community. His debut novel, The Sun Also Rises, was published in 1926. In 1928, Hemingway returned to the U.S., where he settled in Key West, Florida. His experiences during the war supplied material for his 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms.

In 1937, Hemingway went to Spain to cover the Spanish Civil War, which formed the basis for his 1940 novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, written in Havana, Cuba. During World War II, Hemingway was present with Allied troops as a journalist at the Normandy landings and the liberation of Paris. In 1952, his novel The Old Man and the Sea was published to considerable acclaim, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. On a 1954 trip to Africa, Hemingway was seriously injured in two successive plane crashes, leaving him in pain and ill health for much of the rest of his life. He committed suicide at his house in Ketchum, Idaho, in 1961.

Hemingway's legacy to American literature is his style: writers who came after him either emulated or avoided it. After his reputation was established with the publication of The Sun Also Rises, he became the spokesperson for the post–World War I generation, having established a style to follow. His books were burned in Berlin in 1933, "as being a monument of modern decadence", and disavowed by his parents as "filth". Reynolds asserts the legacy is that "[Hemingway] left stories and novels so starkly moving that some have become part of our cultural heritage."

Benson believes the details of Hemingway's life have become a "prime vehicle for exploitation", resulting in a Hemingway industry. The Hemingway scholar Hallengren [sv] believes the "hard-boiled style" and the machismo must be separated from the author himself. Benson agrees, describing him as introverted and private as J. D. Salinger, although Hemingway masked his nature with braggadocio.

During World War II, Salinger met and corresponded with Hemingway, whom he acknowledged as an influence. In a letter to Hemingway, Salinger claimed their talks "had given him his only hopeful minutes of the entire war" and jokingly "named himself national chairman of the Hemingway Fan Clubs". In 2002, a fossil billfish from the Danata Formation of Turkmenistan was named Hemingwaya after Hemingway, who prominently featured a marlin in The Old Man and the Sea.

Mary Hemingway established the Hemingway Foundation in 1965, and in the 1970s, she donated her husband's papers to the John F. Kennedy Library. In 1980, a group of Hemingway scholars gathered to assess the donated papers, subsequently forming the Hemingway Society, "committed to supporting and fostering Hemingway scholarship", publishing The Hemingway Review. His granddaughter Margaux Hemingway was a supermodel and actress and co-starred with her younger sister Mariel in the 1976 movie Lipstick. Her death was later ruled a death by suicide.

Today, 21 July, is his birthday.

Extract from WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA.

Grateful thanks to WIKIPEDIA.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License; additional terms may apply.