5 Questions
Where did John Dryden study?
Westminster School of London
What was John Dryden's birthplace?
Northamptonshire, England
What did Dryden study at Trinity College in Cambridge?
classics, rhetoric, and mathematics
Who did Dryden work for after graduation?
Oliver Cromwell’s Secretary of State, John Thurloe
Who were the Puritan poets Dryden was associated with?
John Milton and Andrew Marvell
Study Notes
Early Life and Education
- John Dryden was born on August 9, 1631, in Northamptonshire, England, to a landowning family with connections to Parliament and the Church of England.
- He studied as a King's Scholar at Westminster School in London, where he was trained in rhetorical argument, a skill that would influence his writing and critical thought.
- Dryden later sent two of his own children to Westminster School.
Academic Pursuits
- In 1650, Dryden enrolled at Trinity College in Cambridge, where he studied the classics, rhetoric, and mathematics.
- He graduated first in his class with a BA in 1654.
Career and Politics
- After graduating, Dryden worked with Oliver Cromwell's Secretary of State, John Thurloe, marking a shift in his political views.
- In 1658, Dryden, along with Puritan poets John Milton and Andrew Marvell, attended Cromwell's funeral.
Milestones
- Dryden's father died in June 1654.
- In 1649, he published his first poem.
Test your knowledge on the life and works of John Dryden, one of England's most influential poets. Learn about his upbringing, education, and the lasting impact he had on literature.
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