John Dryden

17th-century English poet, playwright, and literary critic

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About

John Dryden (1631-1700) dominated English literary life during the Restoration. Educated at Westminster and Cambridge, he first gained notice with political poems, then became Poet Laureate in 1668. Author of nearly thirty plays, including the blank-verse tragedy All for Love, he is best known for his heroic-couplet satires such as Absalom and Achitophel. His essay Of Dramatick Poesie is regarded as a cornerstone of modern literary criticism. After converting to Roman Catholicism, he lost his court offices in 1688. He translated Virgil and published Fables Ancient and Modern. His influence on 18th-century English poetry was immense.

* 1631-08-09 — † 1700-05-01

Major works

  • Of Dramatick Poesie, an Essay (1668)critical essay
  • Absalom and Achitophel (1681)verse satire
  • Mac Flecknoe (1682)verse satire
  • All for Love (1677)tragedy
  • Fables Ancient and Modern (1700)collection of translations and poems

Key milestones

  • 1668Appointed Poet Laureate
  • 1688Loses court offices after refusing to swear allegiance to William and Mary
  • 1700Buried in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey

Themes

political satireliterary criticismheroism and tragedyreligion and faithtranslation of classics

Sources: britannica.com · poetryfoundation.org · westminster-abbey.org