William Whitehead (poet) (1715-02-12–1785-04-14): English poet and playwright | 2Day Wiki

William Whitehead (poet) (1715-02-12–1785-04-14) — English poet and playwright, notably serving as Poet Laureate of Great Britain. Explore chronological milestones, 3-act biography, and historical legacy on 2Day Wiki.

William Whitehead (poet) (1715-02-12–1785-04-14): English poet and playwright | 2Day Wiki

William Whitehead (poet)

English poet and playwright, notably serving as Poet Laureate of Great Britain.

Chronology: 1715-02-12 – 1785-04-14

Origins & Early Life

William Whitehead (1715 – 14 April 1785) was an English poet and playwright who served as Poet Laureate of Great Britain from 1757 to 1785. The son of a baker, Whitehead was born in Cambridge and through the patronage of Henry Bromley, afterwards Baron Montfort, was admitted to Winchester College aged fourteen. He entered Clare College, Cambridge on a Pyke scholarship in 1735, and became a fellow in 1742 (resigning this in 1746), and admitted Master of Arts in 1743. At Cambridge, Whitehead published an epistle On the Danger of writing Verse and some other poems, notably a heroic epistle, Ann Boleyn to Henry the Eighth (1743), and a didactic Essay on Ridicule, also (1743).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1745 Whitehead became the tutor of George Villiers, Viscount Villiers, son of William Villiers, 3rd Earl of Jersey, and took up his residence in London. There he produced two tragedies: The Roman Father and Creusa, Queen of Athens. The plots of these tragedies are based the Horace (1640) of Pierre Corneille, and the Ion (c. 414–412 BC) of Euripides. He accompanied Lord Villiers and George Harcourt, Viscount Nuneham, son of Simon Harcourt, 1st Earl Harcourt on their Grand Tour between 1754 and 1756.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After...

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Source: Wikipedia