William Jonson
William Jonson was one of the great writers of the 17th century. A prolific poet and playwright, his works have stood the test of time and and remain popular to this day.
Jonson was born in 1572 in Westminster, London. The son of a clergyman, he attended Westminster School and received his bachelor of arts degree from Cambridge in 1592. He was already writing and performing his own plays by that time, and soon found work as an actor.
When Jonson arrived in London he was immediately impressed by the vibrant theatrical scene. He began to write his own plays and quickly became a leader in the east London theater world. He quickly made a name for himself with his plays Volpone, The Alchemist, and Bartholomew Fair.
Jonson was a master of many styles of writing. His playwriting in particular was known for a combination of wit and sharp satire, often poking fun at the social mores and human failings of Elizabethan London. As well as his popular plays, Jonson wrote dozens of poem, and his works for the stage often contained some of the earliest examples of prose.
His works were collectively praised for their vitality and energy, and were imitated all over Europe. Jonson was an innovative, prolific, and popular writer in his day, and his influence is still felt today. He had a famously sharp wit and wrote with a depth of understanding unmatched by any of his contemporaries.
Though he was not always highly regarded by the nobility or the royal court, many Londoners were devoted fans of his plays. He was known for the authentic portrayal of everyday life and the profundity of his characters.
Jonsons plays often drew attention to injustice and hypocrisy, and dealt with taboo subjects such as religion and politics. His work still resonates to this day, as many of his themes are still as relevant as when they were written in the 17th century.
Jonson died in 1637 and was buried in Westminster Abbey next to his friend and rival, Christopher Marlowe. His grave reads O Rare Ben Jonson. He is still remembered today as one of the most influential writers of the English Renaissance.
