Dimitrie C. Ollănescu-Ascanio

Born in Focșani, his parents were Constantin Ollănescu, an army captain who later became a magistrate, and his wife Maria (née Caloian).

He also contributed to Convorbiri Literare and Literatură și artă română magazines, as well as to Voința națională and România Liberă newspapers.

He translated Victor Hugo's Ruy Blas and Odes, Epodes, Epistles, the two Satires and Ars Poetica by Horace, earning the academy's Năsturel Herescu prize in 1892 for his work on the Roman poet.

According to literary historian Georgeta Antonescu, he was "an elevated and elegant poet, but without particular depth; a short story writer not without talent; a capable playwright, but one who did not take on very difficult challenges; and a competent and intelligent theatre reviewer".

His Teatrul la români was the first serious history of the theatre of Romania, meticulously documented and displaying a ready capacity to convey impressions and local color.