author
Henry Francis Cary
1772–1844
Best known for bringing Dante's Divine Comedy into English blank verse, this clergyman and man of letters helped make a medieval masterpiece newly accessible to English readers. He also wrote criticism, biography, and poetry, building a quiet but lasting place in literary history.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Gibraltar on December 6, 1772, Henry Francis Cary was educated at Rugby, Sutton Coldfield, and Birmingham before entering Christ Church, Oxford. He was ordained in the Church of England and spent much of his working life balancing clerical duties with a deep commitment to literature.
Cary is remembered above all for his English translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. First published in parts and later collected in full, it became widely admired for its readable blank verse and played an important role in introducing Dante to a broader English-speaking audience. His reputation grew steadily, and he later became associated with the British Museum as well as London's literary world.
Beyond Dante, Cary wrote poems, critical essays, and biographical work, including studies of English poets. He died in London on August 14, 1844, but his name remains closely tied to one of the most influential literary translations of the nineteenth century.