John Ernst Steinbeck was an American writer and novelist.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (born c. 475–480 C.E., died 526 C.E.) was a Roman scholar, writer, philosopher, and politician of the Early Middle Ages. An eminent public figure under the Gothic emperor Theodoric and an exceptional Greek scholar, he is best known for *The Consolation of Philosophy*. He aimed to translate the complete works of Aristotle and Plato into Latin and is recognized as a key intermediary between ancient philosophy and the Latin Middle Ages.

Marcus Aurelius (April 26, 121 CE – March 17, 180 CE) was a Roman Emperor (161–180 CE) born into a wealthy patrician family in Rome. Raised by his mother and paternal grandfather after his father's death, he is best known for his *Meditations*, a series of private writings on Stoic philosophy that remain a key source for understanding ancient Stoicism.