The costume designer behind a few Sesame Street residents shares a birthday with a controversial WWI Spy. Do you know Dickinson’s poem #445?Listen HEREAugust 7th, Wednesday | The Other Kermit

Independence for Bolivia! But why “Bolivia”? Longest-reigning Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson celebrates a birthday. An evocative love poem from the birthday poet.Listen HEREAugust 6th, Tuesday | Why “Bolivia”?

The father of the modern short story, an activist, and a lesser-known American poet share a birthday. Today’s poem from the birthday poet.Listen HEREAugust 5th, Monday | Father of the Modern Short Story

Two women’s rights activists – from different continents and separate times – and a French sculptor all share a birthday. Plus, a quietListen HEREAugust 2nd, Friday | Two Activists and a Sculptor walk into a bar…

Herman Melville’s prose maybe be a bit cumbersome to read at times, but it was certainly inspired by his stormy and eventful life!Listen HEREAugust 1st, Thursday | Melville’s Stormy Start

 Atlantic Records is a classic American label, but it was founded by an immigrant! As promised today’s poem is a response toListen HEREJuly 31st, Wednesday | The Founder of Atlantic Records

Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ stands in stark contrast to the life she led…or does it? In today’s poem a shepherd attempts some wooing.Listen HEREJuly 30th, Tuesday | Emily Brontë

Tocqueville was supposed to study American prisons…but what he ended up chronicling was far more compelling: the work ethic of 19th Century Americans.Listen HEREJuly 29th, Monday | Tocqueville admires America

George Bernard Shaw was a frustrated critic of Victorian theater, before he tried writing his own plays. Plus, a poem by Sara Teasdale.Listen HEREJuly 26th, Friday | Shaw: If You Can’t Beat ’em, Join ’em

The Chemist who helped in the discovery of DNA, a Painter famous for the color blue, and an editing Abolitionist share a birthday.Listen HEREJuly 25th, Thursday | Parrish, Franklin, and Chapman