February 7 is the birthday of Swiss painter HENRY FUSELI (1741-1825).

"Indiscriminate pursuit of perfection infallibly leads to mediocrity."

Fuseli "was a Swiss painter, draughtsman and writer on art who spent much of his life in Britain. Many of his works, such as The Nightmare, deal with supernatural subject-matter. He painted works for John Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery, and created his own "Milton Gallery". He held the posts of Professor of Painting and Keeper at the Royal Academy. His style had a considerable influence on many younger British artists, including William Blake." (Wikipedia)

To see examples of Fuseli’s art, CLICK HERE.

February 7 is the birthday of English novelist CHARLES DICKENS (1812-1870).

"The first rule of business is: Do other men for they would do you"

"'Tis love that makes the world go round, my baby."

Dickens' "literary success began with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers, a publishing phenomenon—thanks largely to the introduction of the character Sam Weller in the fourth episode—that sparked Pickwick merchandise and spin-offs. Within a few years, Dickens had become an international literary celebrity, famous for his humour, satire and keen observation of character and society. His novels, most of them published in monthly or weekly instalments, pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction, which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication. Cliffhanger endings in his serial publications kept readers in suspense. The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience's reaction, and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback." (Wikipedia)

February 7 is the birthday of American novelist SINCLAIR LEWIS (1885-1951).

"When fascism comes to the United States it will be wrapped in the American flag and will claim the name of 100-percent Americanism."
In 1930, Lewis "he became the first author from the United States (and the first from the Americas) to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, which was awarded 'for his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humor, new types of characters.' Lewis wrote six popular novels: Main Street (1920), Babbitt (1922), Arrowsmith (1925), Elmer Gantry (1927), Dodsworth (1929), and It Can't Happen Here (1935).

Several of his notable works were critical of American capitalism and materialism during the interwar period. Lewis is respected for his strong characterizations of modern working women. H. L. Mencken wrote of him, '[If] there was ever a novelist among us with an authentic call to the trade ... it is this red-haired tornado from the Minnesota wilds.'" (Wikipedia)

February 7 is the birthday of ragtime pianist and composer EUBIE BLAKE (1887-1983).

"Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind - listen to the birds. And don't hate nobody."

"If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."

Blake "was an American pianist and composer of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1921, he and his long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals written and directed by African Americans. Blake's compositions included such hits as 'Bandana Days,' 'Charleston Rag,' 'Love Will Find a Way,' 'Memories of You' and 'I'm Just Wild About Harry,' The 1978 Broadway musical Eubie! showcased his works; in 1981, President Ronald Reagan awarded Blake the Presidential Medal of Freedom." (Wikipedia)

February 7 is the birthday of PU YI, the last emperor of China (1907-1967).

"In 1932, after the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, the puppet state of Manchukuo was established by Japan, and he was chosen to become "Emperor" of the new state using the era-name of Datong (Ta-tung). In 1934, he was declared the Kangde Emperor (or Kang-te Emperor) of Manchukuo and ruled until the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1945. After the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, Puyi was imprisoned as a war criminal for 10 years, wrote his memoirs and became a titular member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the National People's Congress." (Wikipedia)

February 7 is the birthday of American swimmer and actor BUSTER CRABBE (1908-1983). In the movies, Crabbe played three of the most popular comic strip characters of the 1930s: TARZAN, BUCK ROGERS and FLASH GORDON.

On February 7, 1497, in Florence, Italy, supporters of Girolamo Savonarola burned cosmetics, art, and books, in a "Bonfire of the vanities."