Classics Calendar for November 5

Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons in a 1981 film version
of The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

Here are today's milestones:

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Born on this day:

Will Durant (1885; died November 7, 1981) American writer, historian, and philosopher; The Story of Civilization; The Story of Philosophy

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J. B. S. Haldane (1892; died December 1, 1964) British-born Indian scientist; Daedalus; or, Science and the Future; My Friend Mr. Leakey

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Sam Shepard (1943-2017) American playwright; Buried Child; A Lie of the Mind; Curse of the Starving Class; Fool for Love; True West; Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1979)

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Died on this day:

George M. Cohan (1942; born July 3, 1878) American composer, playwright, perfomer, and producer; "Over There", "Give My Regards to Broadway", "The Yankee Doodle Boy"; "You're a Grand Old Flag"

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John Fowles (2005; born March 31, 1926) English novelist; The Collector; The Magus; The French Lieutenant's Woman

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Bonus Classic:

Qu Yuan (c. 339-Unknown Date; or c. 340-278) Chinese poet; Chu Ci (Songs of the South)

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