John Dryden
John Dryden (9 August 1631 – 1 May 1700) was a poet and playwright in England. He became Poet Laureate in 1668 and wrote for the theatre as well as producing political and religious verse.[1]
Life and writing
Dryden studied at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He supported the restored monarchy after 1660. His works include the tragedy All for Love, the satire Absalom and Achitophel and the religious poem The Hind and the Panther (1687).[1]
His A Song for St. Cecilia's Day (1687) celebrates music's power. He later wrote Alexander's Feast (1697) for the same festival.[2]
Dryden died in London in 1700 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The Abbey's historical account corrects the birth year on his monument: he was born in 1631, although its inscription gives 1632.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Westminster Abbey. “John Dryden”. Historical biography and commemorative record. Accessed 10 October 2026.
- ↑ G. G. Falle, editor. “A Song for St. Cecilia's Day, 1687”. Representative Poetry Online, University of Toronto Libraries. Editorial notes. Accessed 10 October 2026.