John Dryden
John Dryden | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Godfrey Kneller, c. 1693 | |
| Poet Laureate of England | |
| In office 13 April 1668 – 1688 | |
| Monarchs | Charles II (until 1685) James II |
| Preceded by | Inaugural holder |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Shadwell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 August 1631 Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, England |
| Died | 12 May 1700 (aged 68) London, England |
| Spouse |
Lady Elizabeth Howard
(m. 1663) |
| Children | Charles, John, and Erasmus Henry |
| Alma mater | Westminster School Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Occupation |
|
| Writing career | |
| Language | English |
| Period | 1659–1700 |
| Genre | |
| Subject | Politics and other |
| Literary movement | Classicism |
| Signature | |
John Dryden (/ˈdraɪdən/; 19 August [O.S. 9 August] 1631 – 12 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.
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".