Ben Jonson

He was born in 1572 and became one of the most influential literary figures of early 17th-century England. His poetry often explores themes of friendship, mortality, virtue, and the good life, blending Horatian ideals with personal reflection. Stylistically, Jonson championed a plain style that valued precision, balance, and control over ornate decoration, a hallmark of his classical learning. His lyric poems, including epigrams, odes, and the country-house poem "To Penshurst," are noted for their structural elegance and moral seriousness. As a playwright, he perfected the comedy of humours with satirical works such as "Volpone" and "The Alchemist." Jonson's self-conscious artistry and critical authority helped shape the neoclassical tradition in English poetry. He also received a royal pension from James I, serving as the de facto poet laureate. His influence persisted through the Cavalier poets who emulated his ideals of craftsmanship and decorum.