Butler, Samuel. Born in 1612. English satirist. In his 17th year became attached to the household of the Countess of Kent, when he frequently attended meetings at the house of a Sir Samuel Luke, a strict Puritan and Parliamentarian. The experiences of this time furnished him with the material for his famous work, "Hudibras," the first part of which appeared in 1663, and achieved the widest popularity. Two other parts of the work appeared at intervals. Died 1680.

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