Beaumont

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

FRANCIS, and FLET- CHER, JOHN, two eminent English of dramatic writers, contemporaries ies Shakespeare, and the most famous of literary partners, so closely associated that their names are rarely heard separately. The former, son of a Common Pleas judge, was born at Grace-Dieu, in Leicestershire, in 1584. At the age of 16 he published a translation, in verse, of Ovid's fable of "Salmacis and Her friend of Ben Jonson. With Fletcher also he was early on terms of friendship. He married Ursula, daughter of Henry Isley, of Sundridge, in Kent, by whom he left two daughters. He died March 6, 1616, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. JOHN FLETCHER was born at Rye, Sussex, in December, 1579. His father was successively Dean of Peterborough, Bishop of Bristol, Worcester, and London. The "Woman Hater," produced in 1606-1607, is the earliest work known to exist in which he had a hand. It does not appear that he was ever married. He died in London in August, 1625, and was buried at St. Saviour's, Southwark. The friendship of Beaumont and Fletcher, like their literary partnership, was singularly close; they lived in the same house, and are said to have even had their clothes in common. The works that pass under their names consist of over 50 plays, a masque, and some minor poems. It is believed that all the minor poems except one were written by Beaumont. After the death of Beaumont, Fletcher continued to write plays alone or with other dramatists. It is now difficult, if not indeed impossible, to determine with certainty the respective shares of the two poets in the plays passing under their names. "Four Plays in One," "Wit at Several Weapons," "Thierry and Theodoret," "Maid's Tragedy," "Philaster," "King and No King," "Knight of the Burning Pestle," Cupid's Revenge," "Little French Lawyer," "Scornful Lady," "Coxcomb," and "Laws of Candy" have been assigned to Beaumont and Fletcher conjointly. To Beaumont alone "The Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn." To Fletcher alone "The Faithful Shepherdess," "Woman Hater," "Loyal Subject," "Mad Lover," "Valentinian," "Double Mar- "Humorous Lieutenant," "Island riage," " Princess," "Pilgrims," "Wild Goose Chase," "Spanish Curate," ate," "Beggar's Bush," "Rule a Wife and Have a Wife," "Fair Maid of the Inn." To Fletcher and Rowley "Queen of Corinth," "Maid of the Mill," and "Bloody Brother." To Fletcher and Massinger "False One," and "Very Woman." To Fletcher and Shirley "Noble Gentleman," n," "Night Walker," and "Love's Pilgrimage." To Fletcher and Shakespeare "Two Noble Kinsmen."