Abraham Cowley

Cowley was born in 1618 to a wealthy family in London. His father was a stationer by profession. After the latter’s demise, Abraham’s mother took to spirituality and spent most of her time in devotional activities.

The young boy’s first encounter with the poems was when he found the book ‘The Faerie Queene’ in his mother’s possession.

The boy displayed his immense talent by penning ‘Tragicall History of Piramus and Thisbe’ in 1628. The sheer brilliance of the poem seemed unlikely to have been the creativity of a mere ten year old.

Belonging to an affluent family, he later pursued his primary education at the reputed ‘Westminster School’. Continuing to prove his poetic mettle, this thinker composed his second poem ‘Constantia and Philetus’.

Abraham’s collection of works ‘Poetical Blossoms’ was first published in 1633. It consisted of his previous two works and a third creation ‘Elegy on the Death of Dudley, Lord Carlton’. The collection, which was dedicated to the school headmaster, also featured many inscriptions contributed by his colleagues, which glorified the administrator.

The multi-faceted works featuring in his first publication brought instant recognition to the fifteen year old. The young lad then started working on his next comedy, ‘Loves Riddle’, set in the country side.

After completing high school, Abraham attended the Trinity College, Cambridge in 1637. His works on King David were printed as a collection of five books in Latin during this time. This collection named ‘Davideis’ was published much later after his death.

His pioneering work on ‘Pindarique Odes’ was one of his greatest achievements. The loose structure of the verses in comparison to traditional ode became quite popular among other poets of the era.