John Dryden
John Dryden (1631-1700), English poet, dramatist, and critic. His works for the stage include both comic dramas and heroic tragedies such as All for Love (1677). In 1668 he was appointed Poet Laureate; his principal poetic works were translations and satires such as Absalom and Achitophel (1681). Dryden was converted to Roman Catholicism in 1685, when the Catholic James H came to the throne. As a result, he lost the laureateship when James was succeeded by the Protestants William and Mary in 1688. His last major work was his Virgil translation of 1697.
“His mind was of a slovenly character — fond of splendour, but indifferent to neatness. Hence most of his writings exhibit the sluttish magnificence of a Russian noble, all vermin diamonds, dirty linen, and inestimable sables. Lord Macaulay on John Dryden, Edinburgh Review January 1828”
