James Shirley

Date of Birth: September 13, 1596

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: October 29, 1666

Biography

James Shirley was a notable English dramatist born on September 13, 1596, in London, England. His literary career blossomed during the Jacobean and Caroline periods. Shirley was educated at Merchant Taylors’ School and later at St John’s College, Oxford, and Catharine Hall, Cambridge. He converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism, which influenced his later works. Shirley’s prolific output includes more than 30 plays, numerous masques, and poems. His works are characterized by their poignant exploration of human emotions and societal issues. Noteworthy plays include “The Traitor” (1631), “The Cardinal” (1641), and “The Lady of Pleasure” (1635). Despite the English Civil War interrupting his career, Shirley remained influential, and his work continued to be performed posthumously. Shirley died on October 29, 1666, along with his wife, after a tragic fire in London. His legacy endures, highlighting his significant contribution to English drama.

5 Interesting Facts about James Shirley

1. James Shirley was one of the last significant dramatists of the English Renaissance.

2. He served as a teacher and headmaster at St. Albans School, in addition to his literary career.

3. Shirley’s play “The Cardinal” was performed at the King’s Men theatre company, which was associated with William Shakespeare.

4. He wrote a grammar book titled “Via ad Latinam linguam complanata” aimed at educating children.

5. Shirley’s works were among the few that were performed during the Restoration period after the English Civil War.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Shirley

1. “Death hath no power to make my soul afraid.”

2. “None pities him that’s in the snare, who warned before, would not beware.”

3. “The world is a stage, and every man an actor.”

4. “The glories of our blood and state are shadows, not substantial things.”

5. “We are all mortal, and have our times and seasons to live and die.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Shirley’s net worth is not well-documented, but as a successful playwright of his time, he would have been reasonably well-off, though likely not exceedingly wealthy by modern standards.

Children

James Shirley had several children, though records indicate that many of them predeceased him. His known children include a son named Henry and a daughter named Elizabeth.