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John Dryden

(1631-1700), Dramatist and Poet Laureate

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter associated with 31 portraits
A poet, dramatist and literary critic, Dryden was appointed Poet Laureate by Charles II in 1668. He wrote over twenty plays, including All for Love (1678), and numerous poems, particularly political satires, such as 'Absalom and Achitophel' (1681), and odes, including the famous 'Ode for St Cecilia's Day'. In 1686 he converted to Roman Catholicism, and at the Revolution of 1688 he was deprived of the laureateship. He devoted the rest of his life largely to translations, notably a verse translation of the works of Virgil.

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John Dryden, by Michael Vandergucht, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D42579

John Dryden

by Michael Vandergucht, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, circa 1709 (1693)
NPG D42579

John Dryden, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30122

John Dryden

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1730 (1698)
NPG D30122

John Dryden, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D9354

John Dryden

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1730 (1698)
NPG D9354

John Dryden, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D14535

John Dryden

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1730 (1698)
NPG D14535

John Dryden, by George Vertue, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D19358

John Dryden

by George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
engraving, 1730 (1698)
NPG D19358

John Dryden, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30121

John Dryden

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1743 (1698)
NPG D30121

John Dryden, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D35592

John Dryden

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1743 (1698)
NPG D35592

John Dryden, by William Sharp, after  Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30119

John Dryden

by William Sharp, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, late 18th to early 19th century (1698)
NPG D30119

John Dryden, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D30123

John Dryden

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, late 18th to early 19th century (1698)
NPG D30123

John Dryden, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt - NPG D41894

John Dryden

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
etching, late 18th century? (1698)
NPG D41894

John Dryden, by William Ridley, published by  Charles Cooke, after  W.H. Brown, after  John Closterman - NPG D23519

John Dryden

by William Ridley, published by Charles Cooke, after W.H. Brown, after John Closterman
stipple engraving, published 1 May 1798 (circa 1690)
NPG D23519

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