John Dryden
Videos
John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England
Portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller, c. 1693
Dryden, by John Michael Wright, 1668
Dryden, by James Maubert, c. 1695
Frontispiece and title page, vol. II, 1716 edition, Works of Virgil translated by Dryden
The British poet laureate is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom on the advice of the prime minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expe
John Dryden
…9 August] 1631 – 12 May [O.S. 1 May] 1700) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of…
Thomas Shadwell from NPG
Nicholas Rowe from NPG