Playwrights over Time

The personal history of Aphra Behn, one of the first Englishwomen credited to earn their livelihood by authorship, is difficult to unravel and relate. She was born Aphra Johnson, possibly in Canterbury, in December, 1640. Of her education, nothing is known conclusively. She probably lived in Surinam 1663-1664, returned to London, and perhaps married a "Mr. Behn" in 1664, though no records survive. The same supposed Mr. Behn probably died in 1665, though some have suggested Aphra may never have been married at all. From 1666-1667 Aphra Behn served King Charles II as a spy in Antwerp, Netherlands, incurring debts in her work, which remained unpaid and resulted in a stint in debtors' prison.

After this experience, Aphra Behn apparently left the world of espionage behind for the theatre. Her first performed play was The Forc'd Marriage, 1670, by The Duke's Company. The play was a popular and financial success — an encouraging start. 1671 saw the performance of The Amorous Prince, and by 1672 Behn even edited Covent Garden Drollery, a poetic miscellany. Many plays followed including