Francis Beaumont

Date of Birth: 1584

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: March 6, 1616

Biography

Francis Beaumont was an influential English playwright in the early 17th century, known for his collaborative works with John Fletcher. Born into a well-established family, Beaumont was the son of Sir Francis Beaumont, a Justice of the Common Pleas. He was educated at Broadgates Hall (now Pembroke College), Oxford, and later entered the Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court, to study law. However, his passion for literature and theater soon took precedence. Beaumont is best remembered for his partnership with John Fletcher, with whom he co-wrote several plays that were performed by the King’s Men, the same company that performed Shakespeare’s works. Their collaboration was so seamless that it is often difficult to determine who wrote which parts of their plays. Some of their notable works include “The Maid’s Tragedy,” “Philaster,” and “A King and No King.” Despite his promising career, Beaumont’s life was relatively short. He married Ursula Isley in 1613, and they had two daughters together. Beaumont’s health declined shortly after his marriage, leading to his early death in 1616, the same year as William Shakespeare.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Beaumont

1. Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher’s writing partnership was so close that they reportedly lived together and shared everything, including their income.

2. Beaumont’s father, Sir Francis Beaumont, was a prominent judge, which afforded the playwright a privileged upbringing and education.

3. Despite his legal training, Beaumont chose to pursue a career in literature and theater, defying his family’s expectations.

4. Beaumont and Fletcher’s plays often featured strong, complex female characters, which was somewhat unusual for the period.

5. Beaumont’s work has been praised for its poetic elegance and emotional depth, distinguishing him from many of his contemporaries.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Beaumont

1. “There is a method in man’s wickedness; it grows up by degrees.” – from “The Maid’s Tragedy”

2. “I love a ballad in print, a’ life, for then we are sure they are true.” – from “The Knight of the Burning Pestle”

3. “Our acts our angels are, or good or ill, our fatal shadows that walk by us still.” – from “Honest Man’s Fortune”

4. “Death hath a thousand doors to let out life; I shall find one.” – from “The Maid’s Tragedy”

5. “Let no man fear to die, we love to sleep all, and death is but the sounder sleep.” – from “The Maid’s Tragedy”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While it’s challenging to determine an exact figure for Beaumont’s net worth, it is known that his works were highly popular and performed by the prestigious King’s Men, indicating that he likely enjoyed a comfortable income from his plays.