John Dryden

Date of Birth: August 9, 1631

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: May 1, 1700

Biography

John Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary scene of his time. Born into a prominent family, Dryden was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. His early works include elegies and heroic stanzas, but it was his play “The Indian Emperour” and the poem “Annus Mirabilis” that established his reputation. Dryden was appointed Poet Laureate in 1668 and Historiographer Royal in 1670. His mastery of the heroic couplet influenced countless poets. Dryden’s later years involved translations of classical texts and the production of his seminal critical essays. He passed away in 1700, leaving behind a legacy as one of the foremost poets of the English Restoration period.

5 Interesting Facts about John Dryden

1. John Dryden was the first official Poet Laureate of England.

2. He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1685, likely influenced by the accession of James II.

3. Dryden wrote the libretto for one of the first English operas, “The State of Innocence and Fall of Man.”

4. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, an honor that speaks to his significant impact on English literature.

5. Dryden’s translation works include pieces from Virgil, Juvenal, and Ovid, which were highly influential and widely read.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Dryden

1. “Better to shun the bait than struggle in the snare.”

2. “Beware the fury of a patient man.”

3. “Words are but pictures of our thoughts.”

4. “None but the brave deserves the fair.”

5. “Time, place, and action may with pains be wrought, but genius must be born, and never can be taught.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While historical accounts do not provide a specific figure for Dryden’s net worth, he was well-compensated through his various royal appointments and writing commissions. Adjusted for modern standards, it would be substantial but not comparable to contemporary financial figures.

Children

John Dryden had three sons with his wife, Lady Elizabeth Howard: Charles Dryden, John Dryden Jr., and Erasmus Henry Dryden. All three sons pursued careers but did not achieve the same literary fame as their father.