John Lyly
John Lyly (/ˈlɪli/; c. 1553 or 1554 – November 1606; also spelled Lilly, Lylie, Lylly) was an English writer, playwright, courtier, and parliamentarian. He was best known during his lifetime for his two books Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1578) and its sequel Euphues and His England (1580), but is perhaps best remembered now for his eight surviving plays, at least six of which were performed before Queen Elizabeth I. Lyly's distinctive and much imitated literary style, named after the title character of his two books, is known as euphuism. He is sometimes grouped with other professional dramatists of the 1580s and 1590s like Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, Thomas Nashe, George Peele, and Thomas Lodge, as one of the so-called University Wits. He has been credited by some scholars with writing the first English novel, and as being 'the father of English comedy'.
John Lyly M.A. (Oxon) & (Cantab) | |
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Lyly's signature, from a letter to Sir Robert Cecil, 4 Feb. 1602-3 | |
| Born | 1553 or 1554 Kent, England |
| Died | 30 November 1606 (age about 52) London, England |
| Resting place | St Bartholomew-the-Less, London |
| Occupation | Writer, dramatist, courtier, and Member of Parliament |
| Language | Early Modern English |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Magdalen College, Oxford |
| Literary movement | English Renaissance |
| Years active | 1578–1602 |
| Notable works |
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| Parents | Peter Lyly and Jane Burgh |
| Relatives |
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