Waller
EDMUND, an English poet; born in Coleshill, Hertfordshire, WALLIS England, March 3, 1608. He was educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge. His mother was a sister of John Hampden, and a royalist, but all the rest of his relatives were against the court. His first collection of poems appeared in 1645. He was noted for his wit and was a great favorite at court, in Parliament, and in society, and sang the praises of the Lord Protector as well as those of the Stuarts. He was a member of the "Long Parliament" and was sent as commissioner to the king, after the battle of Edgehill. Shortly after, he plotted in favor of the king, and when detected, turned informer, but by judicious bribery got off with banishment and a fine of $50,000. After nearly ten years of exile in Paris, Cromwell allowed Waller to return in 1653, and he took his usual place in society and Parliament, and was afterward welcome at the courts of Charles II. and James II. He died in Beaconsfield, England, Oct. 21, 1687.