The New Student's Reference Work/Jonson, Ben

Jon′son, Ben, an English dramatist, was born at Westminster (now in London) about 1573. He received his education at Westminster School, where he had as his teacher the celebrated William Camden. For a time he followed the profession of actor, but soon after began to write dramas. The first that proved a success was Every Man in His Humor, in which Shakespeare acted one of the parts, in 1598. His Masques were written for the courts of James and Charles, and are elegant and graceful in style. He was one of the most learned men of his age, and the influence of his writings proves the strength and the talent of the man. As a song-writer he had few equals. Toward the end of 1625 he was attacked by the palsy and afterward by dropsy. During the last three years of his life he was unable to leave his room. He died in August, 1637, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The stone above his grave bears the inscription: “O rare Ben Jonson!” See A. C. Swinburne’s Study of Ben Jonson.