Find these Famous Capricorn Authors in the BPL Catalog

Blue graphic that says "Famous Capricorn Authors" featuring Zora Neale Hurston, Michelle Obama, Charles Perrault, Simone de Beauvoir, and Michael Bond.
Do you know these famous Capricorns? Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo.

Inspired by our friends over at the Pinson Public Library, I created my own take on famous authors and their star signs. If you keep up with the astrological seasons, make sure to check out the Pinson Library's post on notable Capricorn writers!

Now, celebrate this Capricorn season by reading a good story from one of these five sea-goat authors. Keep reading to learn more about Capricorns and the writers who share this star sign!

Capricorn traits

Capricorn season (or the month of the Capricorn) is from December 21—January 19 and always happens on the day of the winter solstice

People born under this star sign tend to be hardworking, goal-oriented, and organized since Capricorns are cardinal earth signs. 

Cardinal signs are star signs that mark the beginning of each season, making them go-getters. Earth signs are the most grounded out of the four elements (earth, fire, water, and air), focusing on the tangible facts of the situation at hand. 

Many astrological writers often attribute Capricorns as the "CEO" type out of the 12 zodiac astrological signs

You might imagine someone who is always busy or building their latest start-up. But having these qualities just means that Capricorns are driven to do their best in whatever captures their interest, which may be their hobbies over their work interests. 

If you want to know more about astrology and hear how its impacted someone's health, read Central Library employee Jo Bridge's blog "New Year, New Us with BPL: A Primer on Astrology."

Let's see if you recognize any of those listed traits in these five writers!

Charles Perrault

Painting of Charles Perrault.
Portrait of Charles Perrault. Photo by Charles Le Brun from Wikipedia.

Charles Perrault was born on January 12, 1628. You may not recognize his face, but you will certainly recognize some of his stories:

Perrault's recordings of these classic French fairy tales provided countless inspirations for Walt Disney's reimagined modern icons. 

Pick up one of these stories for a short read, but don't expect them to be like the Disney stories! 

People traded fairytales around as bars stories for entertainment and are usually pretty gory. Especially if you read the fairytales from another famous Capricorn—James Grimm of The Grimm Brothers. You can also find their fairytales in the BPL catalog!

Zora Neale Hurston

Black and white photo of Zora Neale Hurston smiling.
Portrait of Zora Neale Hurston.
Photo from the United States Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. 

Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama but was raised in Eatonville, Florida. Hurston had a prolific career as an anthropologist, author, folklorist, and filmmaker. 

While best known for Their Eyes Were Watching God, she wrote important books on African American life in the South and black culture in the Caribbean, like:

Hurston fell into obscurity until 1975 when another famed author, Alice Walker, ignited a revival in Hurston with essays and research into Hurston's life. 

Public opinion of her work differed drastically through her life and career, ranging from plagiarism scandals to praise for her use of local dialects. Read her works for yourself to get your own opinion on this Capricorn. 

Simone de Beauvoir

Black and white photo of Simone de Beauvoir.
Portrait of Simone de Beauvoir. Photo by Moshe Milner from Wikipedia. 

Simone de Beauvoir was born on January 9, 1908. Beauvoir was an intellectual, philosopher, political activist, and prolific writer. 

Beauvoir is best known for her work on existential feminism, The Second Sex. This book is intrinsically linked to second-wave feminism

Her other notable works include essays, autobiographies, and novels, like:

While some might conflate her with her lover Jean-Paul Sartre, her own writings and ideas are strong enough to stand on their own and are worth a read. Check out her work in the BPL catalog

Michael Bond

A colored photo of Michael Bond holding a Paddington Bear plush.
Portrait of Michael Bond. Photo by Avery Cunliffe from Wikipedia. 

Michael Bond was born on January 13, 1926. He was a famous British author that created children's books about a sweet, immigrant bear from Peru named Paddington. 

He wrote more than 25 different Paddington Bear books throughout his life until his last one in 2017 when he passed away.  

Bond also wrote other fun children's books, like:

The BPL catalog also has both movies Paddington and Paddington 2. Great selection for a family movie night!

A Capricorn created another famous bear you may recognize from your childhood: Winnie-the-Pooh

Born on January 18, 1882, A. A Milne is most famously known for creating the beloved bear and the rest of the 100 Acre Woods crew. You can find Winnie-the-Pooh in the BPL catalog, too. 

Michelle Obama

Colored portrait of Michelle Obama.
Portrait of Michelle Obama.
Photo from the United States Library of Congress.

Michelle Obama was born on January 17, 1964. She is probably our most recognizable Capricorn as the former First Lady of the United States. 

Obama was an attorney before becoming the first African American woman to serve as the First Lady. 

While in the White House, Obama campaigned against childhood obesity through poverty awareness, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating. She brought back the White House Kitchen Garden (the first one since Eleanor Roosevelt) and added a bee apiary to the South Lawn of the White House. 

Obama wrote two books, created a podcast, and produced a cooking show called Waffles + Mochi. You can find her books in the BPL catalog here:

Check out a book from one of these Capricorn authors at any BPL location.

Follow the BPL on Facebook (Meta), Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and the Jefferson County Library Cooperative on Facebook (Meta), Instagram, and Twitter to get more updates like these. 

Keep an eye out for our next astrological season: Aquarius!

By Cheyenne Trujillo | Library Assistant Ⅲ, Public Relations

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