Ben Jonson

@Dramatist, Timeline and Childhood ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Ben Jonson was an acclaimed English playwright, poet, and literary critic British Actors Writers Poets Novelists Playwrights Gemini Celebrities A highly acclaimed, literary figure from the 17trh century, Ben Jonson is widely hailed as ‘one of the most vigorous minds that ever added to the strength of English literature'. Second only to the world’s most legendary literary icon, William Shakespeare, this dramatist, poet and actor was best known for his satirical and comedy plays. His writings played a pivotal role in shaping English stage comedy and poetry. Some of his well-known works include, 'Every Man in His Humour ', 'Volpone, or The Foxe', 'The Alchemist', 'Bartholomew Fayre: A Comedy', 'The Coronation Triumph', 'The Speeches at Prince Henry's Barriers', 'Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue' and 'The Staple of News'. Unfortunately, all through his life he became a victim of many controversies be it on the personal front, political or artistic. His legacy, however, continues to live. He played a major influence on playwrights across the world. It was he who popularised the genre of comedy, referred to as ‘comedy of humours’ in stage play.

Personal Details

Birthday: June 11, 1572 Died on: August 6, 1637 Nationality: British Famous: Dramatist, Poets, Actors, Writers, Poets, Novelists, Playwrights Spouses: Ann Lewis Known as: Benjamin Jonson Universities: Westminster School Information Detail Birthday June 11, 1572 Died on August 6, 1637 Nationality British Famous Dramatist, Poets, Actors, Writers, Poets, Novelists, Playwrights Spouses Ann Lewis Known as Benjamin Jonson Universities Westminster School Birth Place Westminster, London, England Religion Roman Catholic Epitaphs Underneath this sable herse, Lies the subject of all verse,—, Sydneye's sister, Pembroke's mother., Death, ere thou hast slaine another,, Faire and learn'd and good as she,, Tyme shall throw a dart at thee. Gender Male Father bricklayer Sun Sign Gemini Born in Westminster, London, England Famous as Dramatist, Poet & Actor Died at Age 65

Westminster, London, England

Ben Jonson born at Unsplash Birth Place

In 1594, he married Ann Lewis. The couple lived together all through their life. Unsplash Personal Life

He and William Shakespeare shared a very close relationship. However, there are many legends about his rivalry to him. Unsplash Personal Life

In the 1620s his health began to decline which coincided with his dwindling career. Unsplash Personal Life

Ben Jonson was born in Westminster, London, England. His father was a clergyman, who died before he was born. His mother married again after two years. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He went to a school located in St. Martin's Lane for some time, after which his education was funded by a family friend and he thereby continued his studies at the Westminster School. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

After he graduated from Westminster, he was forced to work under his step-father, who was a bricklayer. He later went to Netherlands, where he served as a soldier with the English regiment. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He co-wrote the play, ‘The Isle of Dogs', which was performed in 1597 at The Swan theatre in London. It is believed that due to satirical elements in the play, it was immediately supressed. Unsplash Career

Performed around 1597, his play titled, ‘The Case is Altered’, was not printed for publication until a decade after. The following year, his play, ‘Every Man in His Humour' was published. Unsplash Career

Performed in 1599, the satirical comedy play, ‘Every Man out of His Humour', was a sequel to his earlier play, ‘Every Man in His Humour'. His subsequent plays include, ‘Cynthia's Revels', ' The Poetaster' and 'Sejanus His Fall'. Unsplash Career

In 1603, he wrote the masques for the ‘Stuart Court’ titled, ‘The Entertainment at Althorp', which is also referred to as ‘The Satyr'. This was one of his first works for the European royal house. Unsplash Career

In 1604, his masque, ‘The Coronation Triumph’, a literary piece written for the coronation of King James I was performed. The same year, he also authored ‘A Private Entertainment of the King and Queen on May-Day’. Unsplash Career

His most popular play, ‘Volpone’ is one among his most performed plays. It has been adapted several times all over the world, including on Broadway. It has also been made into motion picture in several languages. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	June 11, 1572
Died on	August 6, 1637
Nationality	British
Famous	Dramatist, Poets, Actors, Writers, Poets, Novelists, Playwrights
Spouses	Ann Lewis
Known as	Benjamin Jonson
Universities	Westminster School
Birth Place	Westminster, London, England
Religion	Roman Catholic
Epitaphs	Underneath this sable herse, Lies the subject of all verse,—, Sydneye's sister, Pembroke's mother., Death, ere thou hast slaine another,, Faire and learn'd and good as she,, Tyme shall throw a dart at thee.
Gender	Male
Father	bricklayer
Sun Sign	Gemini
Born in	Westminster, London, England
Famous as	Dramatist, Poet & Actor
Died at Age	65

Ben Jonson

British

Jun 11, 1572

Biography

Personal Details

Westminster, London, England