06 Jul John Dryden

John Dryden (1631-1700) is an important figure in English literary history. Following the English Civil War (1642-51) and the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, he built a reputation as the leading poet and literary critic of his day. King Charles II made him England’s first Poet Laureate (1668-88). As a playwright, Dryden was an early exponent of so-called Restoration comedy: for example, Marriage a la Mode (1673). His best-known dramatic play All for Love (1678) is written in blank verse.

Dryden’s greatest achievements, however, were in the field of satiric verse. His poem Absalom and Achitophel (1681) is the most famous of all his works. Dryden died in London at the age of 68 and was buried in St. Anne’s cemetery in Soho. His body was later exhumed and reburied in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. Although the grave is unmarked, Dryden is celebrated by a splendid bust on a high pedestal.