1631-1700. English poet and dramatist, noted
for his satirical verse and for his use of
the heroic couplet. His poetry includes the
verse satire Absalom and Achitophel 1681,
Annus Mirabilis 1667, and `St Cecilia's Day'
1687. Plays include the comedy Marriage a la
Mode 1671 and All for Love 1678, a reworking
of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. On
occasion, Dryden trimmed his politics and his
religion to the prevailing wind, and, as a
Roman Catholic convert under James II, lost
the post of poet laureate (to which he had
been appointed 1668) at the Revolution of
1688. Critical works include Essay on
Dramatic Poesy 1668. Later ventures to
support himself include a translation of
Virgil 1697.