On this day in literature . . .

. . . 106 B.C. ~ Roman philosopher, essayist, and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero is born

. . . 1892 ~ J.R.R. Tolkien is born in South Africa


and my favorite . . .

. . . 1882 ~ Docking in New York, Oscar Wilde is asked by custom officials if he has anything to declare; he replies, "Nothing but my genius."