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William Congreve
William Congreve (24 January 1670 – 19 January 1729) was an English playwright, satirist and poet. He spent most of his early career between London and Dublin, during which time he was an apprentice to the English poet John Dryden and became noted for his highly polished style of writing. Regarded by literary critics as the most influential playwright of the Restoration era, Congreve played a major role in shaping English comedy. The popularity of his plays in the late 17th and early 18th centuries was central to the development of satirical comedy of manners, and he became recognised as a seminal figure of Restoration literature. He is best remembered for his quotes, such as, "O fie, miss, you must not kiss and tell", and "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".
He initially used the pseudonym Cleophil, and first achieved widespread fame beginning in 1693 when he wrote some of the most popular English plays of the time. Congreve's best-known works include his plays The Way of the World (1700), which is regarded by critics as a centerpiece of Restoration comedy literature, and The Mourning Bride (1697).
He wrote the majority of his works in London, and his plays and poems, which formed a major component of Restoration literature, were favorably viewed by the audience for their use of satire and comedy. During this time, Congreve also wrote several other notable works, such as The Old Bachelor (1693), The Double Dealer (1693), and Love for Love (1695), all of which helped establish him as one of the foremost writers in the comedy of manners genre. The majority of the stage plays of his time were dominated by female performers, and he formed a personal friendship with the English actress Anne Bracegirdle who played a leading role in many of his works. Despite this, his literary career only lasted seven years (from 1693 to 1700) and he wrote a total of five plays.
Congreve may have been forced off the stage due to growing concerns about the public perception of morality regarding his theatrical comedies. After leaving the theatrical stage, he remained active in political circles with the Whigs party during the early 18th century. Although he lived until 1729, he did not produce any plays after 1700, and when he died in London, he was honored with burial at the Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. Congreve remains a popular and polarising figure in English literature, and his works continue to be studied in literary circles.
William Congreve was born in Bardsey Grange, in Bardsey, a village in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Although Samuel Johnson disputed this, it has since been confirmed by a baptism entry for "William, sonne of Mr. William Congreve, of Bardsey grange, baptised 10 February 1669" [i.e. 1670 by the modern reckoning of the new year]. His parents were Colonel William Congreve (1637–1708) and Mary Browning (1636?–1715), who moved to London in 1672, and then to the Irish port of Youghal.
Congreve was educated at Kilkenny College, where he met Jonathan Swift, and at Trinity College Dublin. He moved to London to study law at the Middle Temple, but preferred literature, drama, and the fashionable life. Congreve used the pseudonym Cleophil, under which he published Incognita: or, Love and Duty reconcil'd in 1692. This early work, written when he was about 17 years of age, gained him recognition among men of letters and entry into the literary world. He became a disciple of John Dryden whom he met through gatherings of literary circles held at Will's Coffeehouse in the Covent Garden district of London. Dryden supported him throughout his life, often composing complimentary introductions for his publications.
Congreve was distantly related to Lady Elizabeth Hastings, whose family owned Ledston and was part of the London intelligentsia. He wrote a number of articles about her in the Tatler magazine.
William Congreve shaped the English comedy of manners through his use of satire and well-written dialogue. Congreve achieved fame in 1693 when he wrote some of the most popular English plays of the Restoration period. This period was distinguished by the fact that female roles were beginning to be played predominantly by women, which was evident in Congreve's work. One of Congreve's favourite actresses was Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle, who performed many of the female lead roles in his plays.
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William Congreve
William Congreve (24 January 1670 – 19 January 1729) was an English playwright, satirist and poet. He spent most of his early career between London and Dublin, during which time he was an apprentice to the English poet John Dryden and became noted for his highly polished style of writing. Regarded by literary critics as the most influential playwright of the Restoration era, Congreve played a major role in shaping English comedy. The popularity of his plays in the late 17th and early 18th centuries was central to the development of satirical comedy of manners, and he became recognised as a seminal figure of Restoration literature. He is best remembered for his quotes, such as, "O fie, miss, you must not kiss and tell", and "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned".
He initially used the pseudonym Cleophil, and first achieved widespread fame beginning in 1693 when he wrote some of the most popular English plays of the time. Congreve's best-known works include his plays The Way of the World (1700), which is regarded by critics as a centerpiece of Restoration comedy literature, and The Mourning Bride (1697).
He wrote the majority of his works in London, and his plays and poems, which formed a major component of Restoration literature, were favorably viewed by the audience for their use of satire and comedy. During this time, Congreve also wrote several other notable works, such as The Old Bachelor (1693), The Double Dealer (1693), and Love for Love (1695), all of which helped establish him as one of the foremost writers in the comedy of manners genre. The majority of the stage plays of his time were dominated by female performers, and he formed a personal friendship with the English actress Anne Bracegirdle who played a leading role in many of his works. Despite this, his literary career only lasted seven years (from 1693 to 1700) and he wrote a total of five plays.
Congreve may have been forced off the stage due to growing concerns about the public perception of morality regarding his theatrical comedies. After leaving the theatrical stage, he remained active in political circles with the Whigs party during the early 18th century. Although he lived until 1729, he did not produce any plays after 1700, and when he died in London, he was honored with burial at the Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. Congreve remains a popular and polarising figure in English literature, and his works continue to be studied in literary circles.
William Congreve was born in Bardsey Grange, in Bardsey, a village in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Although Samuel Johnson disputed this, it has since been confirmed by a baptism entry for "William, sonne of Mr. William Congreve, of Bardsey grange, baptised 10 February 1669" [i.e. 1670 by the modern reckoning of the new year]. His parents were Colonel William Congreve (1637–1708) and Mary Browning (1636?–1715), who moved to London in 1672, and then to the Irish port of Youghal.
Congreve was educated at Kilkenny College, where he met Jonathan Swift, and at Trinity College Dublin. He moved to London to study law at the Middle Temple, but preferred literature, drama, and the fashionable life. Congreve used the pseudonym Cleophil, under which he published Incognita: or, Love and Duty reconcil'd in 1692. This early work, written when he was about 17 years of age, gained him recognition among men of letters and entry into the literary world. He became a disciple of John Dryden whom he met through gatherings of literary circles held at Will's Coffeehouse in the Covent Garden district of London. Dryden supported him throughout his life, often composing complimentary introductions for his publications.
Congreve was distantly related to Lady Elizabeth Hastings, whose family owned Ledston and was part of the London intelligentsia. He wrote a number of articles about her in the Tatler magazine.
William Congreve shaped the English comedy of manners through his use of satire and well-written dialogue. Congreve achieved fame in 1693 when he wrote some of the most popular English plays of the Restoration period. This period was distinguished by the fact that female roles were beginning to be played predominantly by women, which was evident in Congreve's work. One of Congreve's favourite actresses was Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle, who performed many of the female lead roles in his plays.