John Dryden

John Dryden, an English poet and dramatist who would dominate literary efforts of The Restoration was born on August 19, 1631, in Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire, England. He received a classical education at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, then moved to London in 1657 to begin his career as a professional writer. His first play, The Wild Gallant (1663), was a failure when first presented, but Dryden soon found more success with The Indian Queen (1664) which he co-authored with Sir Robert Howard and which served as his initial attempt to found a new theatrical type, the heroic tragedy. Although George Villiers' The Rehearsal, a of heroic tragedy, brought a quick end to the form, Dryden still managed to produce a number of respectable works in this genre including The Indian Emperor (1665) and Secret Love (1667) which mixed heroic tragedy with contemporary comedy.

The young playwright's status grew quickly, and in 1668, only ten years after his move to London, Dryden was appointed Poet Laureate of England. That same year, he decided to write completely for Thomas Killigrew's theatrical company and became an investor. His first submission, Tyrannick Love (1669), and his successful follow-up, The Conquest of Granada by the Spaniards (1670), are examples of heroic tragedy. In 1672, however, maybe sensing the end of his short-lived structure, Dryden turned his hand to comedy and produced Marriage A-la-Mode, a brilliant battle of the sexes. Dryden's link with Killigrew's company continued until 1678 at which point he