Dryden

John, an English poet; descended from an ancient family, his grandfather being Sir Erasmus Dryden of Canons Ashby, lig shire; he was born near Aldwinkle, North amp tons hire, in 1631; he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, being here elected to a scholarship. After leaving, the university he went to London, where he acted as_ secretary to his cousin, Sir Gilbert Pick ering, a favorite of Cromwell; and on the death of the Protector he wrote his historic stanzas on that event. At the Restoration, however, he bailed the return of Charles II. in “Astrea Redux,” and from that time his devotion to the Stuarts knew no decay. Dryden is unequalled as a satirist among English poets, and the best of his tragedies are unsurpa ed by any since written, His poetry asa whole is more remarkable for vigor and energy than beauty, but he did much to improve English verse. He was also an admirable prose writer. He died May 1, 1700, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.