The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687)

A pioneering 17th‑century effort to chronicle England’s poetic voices, this collection arranges its subjects from the medieval minstrel Robert of Gloucester through the Restoration era. Each entry offers a concise portrait, often accompanied by a memorable excerpt from the poet’s work, giving listeners a taste of the verse that shaped English literature. The biographies are presented in the order they appeared, allowing a sense of the evolving literary landscape as it unfolded over centuries.

The compiler worked at a time when scholarly rigor was still developing, drawing heavily on earlier reference works while also seeking out fresh material from lesser‑known archives. His candid commentary reveals the choices and gaps that shaped the selection—omitting many Scottish and female poets, and sometimes relying on what modern readers would call plagiarism. Listening to this narrative provides a vivid glimpse into the early practice of literary historiography, with all its enthusiasm and occasional rough edges.