John Dryden

John Dryden (/ˈdrdən/; 19 August [O.S. 9 August] 163112 May [O.S. 1 May] 1700) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate.

John Dryden
Portrait by Godfrey Kneller, c.1693
Poet Laureate of England
In office
13 April 1668  January 1688
MonarchJames II
Preceded byInaugural holder
Succeeded byThomas Shadwell
Personal details
Born(1631-08-19)19 August 1631
Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, England
Died12 May 1700(1700-05-12) (aged 68)
London, England
Spouse
Lady Elizabeth Howard
(m. 1663)
ChildrenCharles, John, and Erasmus Henry
Alma materWestminster School
Trinity College, Cambridge
Occupation
  • Poet
  • literary critic
  • playwright
  • librettist
Writing career
LanguageEnglish
Period1659–1700
Genre
  • Satire
  • playwright
  • fable
  • poetry
  • essay
  • libretto
  • translation
SubjectPolitics and other
Literary movementClassicism
Signature

He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Romantic writer Sir Walter Scott called him "Glorious John".

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