John Dryden

John Dryden, born in Northamptonshire in 1631, was a towering figure in English literature, renowned as a poet, playwright, translator, and literary critic. His prolific career spanned the English Restoration period, earning him the title of England's first Poet Laureate in 1668. Dryden's influence was so profound that the era is often referred to as the Age of Dryden. His works, which include powerful dramas and insightful critical essays, cemented his status as one of the greatest English poets of the 17th century, following in the footsteps of Shakespeare and Jonson. Dryden's legacy endures through his timeless explorations of human nature and his enduring impact on English literature.