John Dryden

1 portrait of John Dryden

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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John Dryden

by Michael Vandergucht, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, circa 1709 (1693)
7 1/8 in. x 4 1/4 in. (181 mm x 109 mm) plate size; 7 1/4 in. x 4 1/2 in. (185 mm x 115 mm) paper size
Purchased with help from the Friends of the National Libraries and the Pilgrim Trust, 1966
Reference Collection
NPG D42579

Sitterback to top

  • John Dryden (1631-1700), Dramatist and Poet Laureate. Sitter associated with 31 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • Michael Vandergucht (1660-1725), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 255 portraits.

Events of 1709back to top

Current affairs

Political struggle develops between the Whigs and Queen Anne over the succession to the post of Lord High Admiral following the death of the queen's consort, Prince George. The Whig, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, eventually wins the post.
Unusually cold winter in England and across Europe.

Art and science

Publisher and secretary of the Kit-cat Club, Jacob Tonson, senior and poet John Dryden, include Alexander Pope's first publication, his poem, Pastorals, in the sixth edition of their Miscellany Poems.
Dramatist, Nicholas Rowe, edits the first modern edition of Shakespeare's plays.
The Tatler is founded by essayist Sir Richard Steele.

International

Ambassador to The Hague, Charles Townshend, Viscount Townshend, negotiates the barrier treaty with Holland, guaranteeing provision of fortresses in the Southern Netherlands and safeguarding the Hanoverian succession in England. Townshend also enters serious negotiations for peace with France.
Battle of Malplaquet results in stalemate between the warring factions.


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