Biography Afra Ben
Afra Ben is the first professional writer in England.
Little is known about her early stages of life, but there is evidence that she married in 1658 for a Dutch merchant named Ben, who lived in London.
After the death of her husband, Ben Afra becomes an English spy in the Dutch war, taking the pseudonym Astrea, according to which she subsequently publishes many poems.
In the biography of Afra Ben, a career as a secret agent was unsuccessful, and she returned to England, without money and exhausted, forced to spend some time in prison debtors.
In 1670, for the first time her play was performed, and in 1677 she gained such a coveted fame with the most successful production of “Rover”. All her plays are distinguished by their breadth, vulgar humor.
Despite the success of Afra Ben as a playwright, her best literary achievements are in her novels. The most notable of these is Orunoko, or regal slave, a heroic love story, the first philosophical novel in England.
Afra Ben was also famous for her way of life, as well as her work. Her refusal of female obsequiousness to men and people from high society, bohemian existence led to its description by critics such as George Sand, in the form of the founder and forerunner of the feminist movement.
Her literary reputation rapidly declined in the 18th century, however, the select collection of her works “SMontague Summers” revived the readers’ interest in her.
Related posts:
- Biography of Voltaire Voltaire is a philosopher, writer, human rights activist, historian. Born François-Marie November 21, 1694 in Paris in the family official. Education in the biography of Voltaire was obtained at the Jesuit College. After that, despite his father’s wish, he did not become a lawyer, but started to work on literary activity. Voltaire wrote poignant satirical […]...
- Biography Giordano Bruno Giordano Bruno is a philosopher, scientist, poet. Born Giordano Bruno in the city of Nola in 1548 in a military family. At the age of eleven in the biography of Giordano Bruno moved to Naples. The boy began to study logic and literature. Four years later, Bruno came to the monastery of St. Dominic. He […]...
- Biography Zamyatin Evgeniy Ivanovich (1884-1937) Zamyatin Eugene Ivanovich (1884 – 1937), the prose writer. He was born on January 20 (February 1, 2006) in Lebedyan, Tambov province, in the family of a priest. After graduating from the Voronezh gymnasium in 1902 with a gold medal, he entered the shipbuilding institute, which ends in 1908. During his student years, during […]...
- Biography Yuri Bondarev (born 1924) Yury Bondarev (born in 1924), a prose writer. Born March 15 in Orsk in the Urals in the family of an administrative employee. Childhood years have passed in Moscow. The outbreak of the Patriotic War prevented them from continuing their education: after graduating from high school, he went to the front. He was […]...
- Biography of Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling is a writer, poet. Born Kipling December 30, 1865 in the Indian city of Bombay, his father was a professor at the Art School. The first years of life in the biography of Kipling were very happy. At the age of five he moved to England, where he lived and studied at […]...
- Biography of Stella Walsh Stella Walsh – sportswoman, sprinter, was born on December 4, 1911 in Poland. Stella Walsh’s biography is best known as the history of the Olympic runner, which had both male and female chromosomes. In 1930 and 1940, Stella Walsh was the leading athlete in the race. She won 41 US championships in various categories of […]...
- Miguel de Cervantes. Biography Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is a Spanish writer, one of the key figures of the Renaissance, the creator of the “eternal image” of Don Quixote, which has become a universal symbol of humanity. The life of M. de Cervantes in dates and facts Supposedly September 29, 1547 – was born in the town of Alcalá […]...
- Biography of Peter Crouch Peter Crouch – footballer, was born on January 30, 1981 in McClesfield, Cheshire, England. Best known as the two-meter forward Liverpool Reds. Of all the players who played for Liverpool and England, Peter Crouch is much higher. Having tried himself in several teams of professional football, Peter in 2005 settled on the team “Liverpool”, becoming […]...
- Biography of Arthur Schopenhauer Arthur Schopenhauer is a German philosopher. Schopenhauer was born in Danzig on February 22, 1788 in a cultural merchant family. At the age of nine, a transfer to France took place in the biography of Arthur Schopenhauer. Education future philosopher began in the Rungen gymnasium in 1799. In 1803 he did not spend much time […]...
- Biography of Johnny Wilkinson Johnny Wilkinson – a player in rugby, was born on May 25, 1979 in Surrey, England. Johnny Wilkinson’s biography is best known as the history of the brilliant player of the English Rugby Union in the position of the fly-Half. Johnny was one of the most famous professional players in rugby. He became a real […]...
- Biography of Benedict Spinoza Benedikt Spinoza is a Dutch philosopher of Jewish origin. Childhood and early years Baruch de Spinoza, the second son of Miguel de Espinoza and Ana Deborah, was born in Amsterdam. His father was a Portuguese Jew who traded sheep’s wool, whose merchant business flourished. Mother died when the boy was only six years old. Young […]...
- Biography Kazakevich Emmanuel Genrikhovich (1913 – 1962) Kazakevich Emmanuil Genrikhovich (1913 – 1962), the prose writer. Born February 11 (24 N. p.) In Kremenchug in the family of a teacher, later – a journalist. After graduating from a seven-year school and engineering college in Kharkov (1930), he left for Birobidzhan. There he began his career. He changed many professions: […]...
- Biography of Karamzin Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin is a Russian writer, historian, publisher, founder of Russian sentimentalism. The creator of the “History of the Russian State” and a number of famous works of art. Youth Karamzin Nikolai Mikhailovich was born December 12, 1766 in Simbirsk in a noble family. Primary education the future writer received at home. Soon his […]...
- Biography of Korney Chukovsky Kornei Ivanovich Chukovsky – writer, poet, translator, critic. Nikolay was born on March 31, 1882 in St. Petersburg. Under the pseudonym Korney Chukovsky in his biography, the writer worked since the beginning of literary activity. Later he added Ivan’s false middle name. In 1901, Chukovsky began to engage in journalism, and two years later became […]...
- Biography Dobrolyubov Nikolay Alexandrovich (1836 – 1861) Dobrolyubov Nikolai Alexandrovich (1836-1861). Russian publicist, literary critic, poet, revolutionary democrat. Nikolai Aleksandrovich Dobrolyubov was born on February 5 (in the old style – January 24) in 1836 in the family of a very wealthy priest, in Nizhny Novgorod. Nikolai Dobrolyubov had only a boundless attachment to his mother – kind, friendly, […]...
- Biography Bogomolov Vladimir Osipovich (1926 – 2003) Vladimir Osipovich Bogomolov was born in 1926 in the village of Kirillovka in the Moscow province. In 1941 he graduated from seven classes of secondary school. Member of the Patriotic War. In the active army was consistently ordinary, commander of the department, pomkvzvod, commander of the platoon – rifle, submachine gunners, foot […]...
- Biography Gnedich Nikolai Ivanovich (1784 – 1833) Gnedich Nikolai Ivanovich (1784 – 1833), poet, translator. Born February 2 (13 N. s.) In Poltava in a wealthy noble family. In 1793 he was admitted to the Poltava Theological Seminary, then studied at the Kharkov Collegium, after which he enrolled at 1800 in the Noble Board at the Moscow University. He […]...
- The Biography of Edmund Halley Edmund Halley was a British astronomer, a mathematician, he also calculated the orbit of a comet, which was later named in his honor by Halley’s comet. Childhood and youth Edmund Halley was born November 8, 1656 in Haggerston, Gordic, England, in the family of a soap-maker and merchant, also called Edmund. Edmund Sr. owned various […]...
- Biography Bugaev Boris Nikolaevich (1880-1934) White Andrey is a pseudonym. The real name is Bugaev Boris Nikolaevich, the poet. Born October 14 (26 N. s.) In Moscow in the family of a professor at Moscow University. He received a wonderful home education. He studied at the gymnasium of a major teacher L. Polivanov, where his outstanding humanitarian talents were […]...
- Michael Owen’s biography Michael Owen – footballer, was born on December 14, 1979 in the city of Chester, England. Best known as the English hero of the 1998 World Cup. For the first time in his biography, Michael Owen played for the England team at the 1998 World Cup. Then he was only 18 years old, he became […]...
- Biography Shaginyan Marietta Sergeevna (1888-1982) Shaginyan Marietta Sergeevna (1888 – 1982), the prose writer. She was born on March 21 (April 2 nd) in Moscow to a doctor’s family. She received a wonderful home education, then studied at a private boarding school, then at the Rzhevskaya Gymnasium, one of the best gymnasiums in Moscow of that time. In 1912 […]...
- Biography of Arnold Bennett Arnold Bennett is an English novelist and playwright. As one of the great 20th-century English novelists, Bennett is known for his realistic “Five Cities” novels, which tell of fictional production areas in the north of England. Early career Bennett began with the editing of the fashion magazine “Woman” and writing literary reviews and articles. Around […]...
- Biography of Pasternak Pasternak Boris Leonidovich is a Russian writer, poet and prose writer of the 20th century. Author of the famous novel “Doctor Zhivago”, a lot of translations from other languages, collections of poems, stories, articles and essays. Nobel prize winner in literature. Early years Born January 29, 1890 in Moscow in the family of the artist […]...
- Biography of Danica Patrick Danica Patrick – a famous racer, was born on March 25, 1982 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Better known as the female driver who finished fourth in the Indy 500-mile championship in 2005. Finishing Danica fourth in the race of 500 miles of Indianapolis made her one of the most famous women in the history of racing. […]...
- Biography of John Singleton Copley John Singleton Copley is an American portrait painter, was born in Boston. Copley is considered one of the greatest American masters. He studied with his stepfather, Peter Pelham, and also visited the studio Smiert and Fick. When the artist was 20 years old, Copley’s biography was already known as the story of a successful portrait […]...
- Biography of Marshak Samuel Yakovlevich Marshak is a famous Soviet poet, translator, playwright. Known as the author of fairy tales for children, satirical works, as well as “adult”, serious lyrics. Early years Samuel Marshak was born on October 22, 1887 in Voronezh to a Jewish family. The family name “Marshak” comes from the famous rabbi Aaron Kaidanover, and […]...
- Biography of Pedro Calderon Pedro Calderon de la Barca is a famous playwright and poet of the golden age. Pedro Calderon was born on January 17, 1600 in Madrid. His father was a secretary of the treasury, a nobleman. The first education in the biography of Calderon was received at the Jesuit College of Madrid. Then he studied at […]...
- Biography Dombrovsky Yuri Osipovich (1909 – 1978) Dombrovsky Yuri Osipovich (1909 – 1978), the prose writer. Born May 12 in Moscow in the family of a famous lawyer. He grew up in Arbat alleys, graduated from school here, the first political dossier was opened here. He studied at the Higher State Literary Courses. In 1933, Yu. Dombrovsky was deported […]...
- Biography Sollogub Vladimir Alexandrovich (1813 – 1882) Sollogub Vladimir Alexandrovich, Count (1813 – 1882), writer. He was born on August 8 (20th century) in St. Petersburg in a noble aristocratic family. He received a wonderful home education, whose program was determined by his father, a well-known art lover. In 1829 – 34 he studied at the University of Dorpat, […]...
- Biography of David Hume David Hume is an extraordinary and extremely influential philosopher. Beginning of life David Hume, born David Home, was born on May 7, 1711 in Edinburgh. His parents – Joseph Home and Catherine Falconer rented land there. His father was a lawyer. Due to the fact that many Englishmen had problems with the perception of his […]...
- Biography Kaverin Veniamin Alexandrovich (1902-1989) Kaverin Veniamin Aleksandrovich (1902 – 1989), the prose writer. Born April 6 (19 N. p.) In Pskov in the family of a musician. In 1912 he entered the Pskov gymnasium. “My older brother Y. Tynyanov, later a well-known writer, was my first literary teacher, who instilled in me a passionate love for Russian literature,” […]...
- Biography of Thomas Cole Thomas Cole – American landscape painter, was born in England. In 1818, in the biography of Cole, he moved to the United States, he settled in Ohio, where he was struck by rural beauty. In 1825 the artist went to New York. There, his landscapes began to be highly appreciated. Mostly self-taught, Cole depicted places […]...
- Biography of Albert Camus Albert Camus is a French writer, was born in Algiers. Camus was one of the most important authors and thinkers of the 20th century. As a student at the University of Algiers, he formed a theater group and adapted, directed and staged plays. He was active in public reforms, and became a member of the […]...
- Biography of James Agee James Agee is an American writer who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1932, James graduated from Harvard. Soon James Agey joins the literary and journalistic life of New York. In 1932 he became a writer at the magazine “Fortune”; a reviewer of books and a film critic for “Time”; as well as a film […]...
- Biography of Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot – French landscape painter, was born in Paris. Koro was one of the most influential artists of the 19th century. The son of the store owner, he worked in a textile shop until 1822. It was this year in the biography of Jean-Baptiste Corot began his passion for painting. Classical landscape painters […]...
- Biography Trediakovsky Vasily Kirillovich (1703 – 1768) Trediakovsky Vasily Kirillovich (1703 – 1768), poet, novelist, theoretician. Born February 22 (March 5, 2007) in Astrakhan in the family of a priest. At the insistence of his father he studied at the school of Catholic Capuchin monks, then served in the church. In the early 1720s, leaving service in the church, […]...
- Biography of Aitmatov Chingiz (12.12.1928) Kirghiz Soviet writer, writing in Kyrgyz and Russian. He was born in the family of one of the first Kyrgyz Communists. Under the influence of the family, the future writer has been familiar with Russian culture, the Russian language and literature since childhood. In 1937, his father, who held the leading position, was repressed, […]...
- Biography of Anthony Burgess Anthony Burgess is an English novelist, was born in the city of Manchester, and lived there under the name John Anthony Burgess Wilson. In 1940 he graduated from the University of Manchester. He taught at school in England and in East Asia, and also was fond of music. The novels of Anthony Burgess are characterized […]...
- Biography Apukhtin Alexey Nikolaevich (1840 – 1893) Apukhtin Alexey Nikolaevich (1840 – 1893), the poet. Born November 15 (27 N. p.) In the city of Volkhov, Orel province in a wealthy noble family. His childhood was spent in the village of Pavlodar, in the family estate of his father. In 1852 he entered the St. Petersburg School of Jurisprudence, […]...
- Biography of Alexander Tvardovsky Alexander Trifonovich Tvardovsky is a famous Soviet writer, poet, laureate of the Lenin and Stalin Prizes, the State Prize of the USSR, as well as the owner of many orders and awards. Early years Alexander was born on June 8, 1910 in the Smolensk province of the Russian Empire. Surprisingly, in Tvardovsky’s biography the first […]...