(Encyclopedia) Dennis, John, 1657–1734, English critic and playwright. Best known for his critical works, which include Grounds of Criticism in Poetry (1704) and An Essay on the Genius and Writings…
(Encyclopedia) Dowland, JohnDowland, Johndouˈlənd [key], 1563–1626, English composer, unsurpassed in his day as a lutenist. His books of Songs or Ayres (1597–1603) established him as the foremost…
(Encyclopedia) Drew, John, 1827–62, American actor, b. Dublin. After establishing a reputation as a comedian in the 1840s, he devoted his energies to the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia, where he…
(Encyclopedia) Drinkwater, John, 1882–1937, English author. A founder of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, he was associated with it as actor, director, and general manager for many years. He is best…
(Encyclopedia) Dryden, John, 1631–1700, English poet, dramatist, and critic, b. Northamptonshire, grad. Cambridge, 1654. He went to London about 1657 and first came to public notice with his Heroic…
(Encyclopedia) Dollond, JohnDollond, Johndŏlˈənd [key], 1706–61, English optician and inventor. A silk weaver, he taught himself languages, mathematics, and science, becoming a noted scholar as well…
(Encyclopedia) Donne, JohnDonne, Johndŭn, dŏn [key], 1572–1631, English poet and divine. He is considered the greatest of the metaphysical poets.
All of Donne's verse—his love sonnets and his…
(Encyclopedia) Dunstable, JohnDunstable, Johndŭnˈstəbəl [key], c.1385–1453, English composer. Dunstable is thought to have accompanied his patron, the duke of Bedford, to France. About 60 of his…
