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John Silas Reed, known as John Reed, was an American journalist, poet, and socialist activist, whose firsthand account of the Mexican Revolution, 'Insurgent Mexico' (1914), posited him as a prominent literary figure in the early 20th century. Born on October 22, 1887, in Portland, Oregon, Reed was a radical journalist who rose to prominence through his vibrant, impassioned writing style, and his commitment to socialist causes. 'Insurgent Mexico' is a product of Reed's journey with the Mexican revolutionary forces, giving readers vivid depictions of the tumultuous events and key figures along the way. His reporting was marked not only by detailed observation but also by a deep empathy for the plight of the downtrodden. Reed is perhaps best known for his later work, 'Ten Days That Shook the World' (1919), an eyewitness account of the Russian Revolution, which further solidified his standing as a writer of historical significance. He passed away prematurely from typhus on October 17, 1920, in Moscow and was honored by burial at the Kremlin Wall Necropolis, a rare privilege for a foreigner. Despite his short life, Reed's contributions to American literature and journalism have left an enduring legacy of radical thought and vivid reportage.