El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) was born in 1541, probably in the village of Fodele. Better known as El Greco he lived most of his life in Toledo, Spain. A 16th century artist, he probably studied under Titian in Venice.
Nikos Kazanantzakis, author, thinker, poet and philosopher, was born in 1883 in Varvari. He wrote a series of critical travel books. Then came lyrics, stories, novels and tragic plays with mostly historical or religious themes in addition to philosophical essays and epic poems. International fame came with his "Zorba the Greek", also "Report to El Greco", "Freedom or Death" and "The Last Temptation of Christ". He died in 1957.
Vinzentos Kornaros was born in Crete in 1600. His "Erotokritos" is one of the most significant national poems of Greece.
Pantelis Prevelakis was born in 1909 in Rethymnon and although he traveled extensively he remained in close contact with his birthplace all his life. His novels, including "Chronicle of a City", were based on historical interpretation and mythological impressions.
Eleftherios Venizelos was Crete’s most celebrated Cretan statesman who, in 1913, finally succeeded in joining Crete with the rest of Greece. He was born in Mournies and is buried with his son on the Akrotiri peninsular, just outside Chania.