Joseph Warton

An Essay on Wit, and Other Essays (Dodo Press) Joseph Warton

Richard Flecknoe (c. 1600-1678? ), English dramatist and poet, the object of Dryden's satire, was probably of English birth. The few known facts of his life are chiefly derived from his Relation of Ten Years' Travels in Europe, Asia, Afrique and America (1655? ), consisting of letters written to friends and patrons during his travels. Joseph Warton (1722-1800) was an English academic and literary critic. Joseph was educated at Winchester College and at Oriel College, Oxford, and followed his father into the church, becoming curate of Winslade in 1748. In his early days Joseph wrote poetry, of which the most notable piece is The Enthusiast (1744), an early precursor of Romanticism. In 1755, he returned to his old school to teach, and from 1766 to 1793 was its headmaster, but it was a role in which he did not distinguish himself. His career as a critic was always more illustrious, and he published editions of classical poets such as Virgil as well as English poets including John Dryden.