The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Butler, Samuel (poet)

BUTLER, Samuel, English satirical poet: b. Strensham, Worcestershire, 12 Feb. 1612; d. London, 25 Sept. 1680. He passed some time in his youth at Cambridge, but never matriculated at the university. He was afterward clerk or steward to several country gentlemen, and later lived in London. He resided some time with Sir Samuel Luke, a commander under Cromwell. In this situation Butler acquired materials for his ‘Hudibras’ (q.v.) by study of those around him, and particularly of Sir Samuel himself, a caricature of whom constituted the celebrated knight Hudibras. The first edition of ‘Hudibras’ was published in 1663 and was brought under the notice of the court by the well-known Earl of Dorset. It immediately became highly popular with the prevailing party in Church and state, and served as a general source of quotation; the King himself perpetually answering his courtiers out of ‘Hudibras.’ Celebrated as it rendered its author, it did nothing toward extricating him from indigence. He was buried in Saint Paul's Church, Covent Garden, at the expense of his friend, Mr. Longueville, of the Temple, and a monument was, 40 years after, erected to his memory, in Westminster Abbey, by Alderman Barber, the printer. ‘Hudibras,’ both in its style and matter, is one of the most original and witty works that were ever written. As a work intended to ridicule the Puritans its attraction was great but temporary, but as applicable to classes of character found in all ages, its satire will always be relished. Butler's ‘Remains in Verse and Prose’ appeared in 1759.