Dekker

Dekker, Thomas (1570-1637), a prolific English dramatist, much of whose writing, however, was done in collaboration. In 1600 appeared his Shoemaker's Holiday and the Pleasant, Comedy of Old Fortunatus. In 1602, in return for Ben Jonson's hostility, which had taken the place of former friendship, he satirised the poet in Satiromastix. In 1603 appeared The Wonderful Year, which commemorated the Plague, and the Bachelor's Banquet. In 1604 he wrote, with Middleton, the Honest Whore, and in 1607, with Webster, Westward Ho ! Northward Ho.' and a fragmentary play, the History of Sir Thomas Wyat. In 1608 he wrote a pamphlet, the Bellman of London, and another called Lanthorn and Candlelight; in 1609 the Gull's Hornbook; in 1611, with Middleton, the Roaring Girl; and he joined with Massinger in writing the Virgin Martyr. In 1624, with Ford, he produced the Sun's Darling, and later, with Ford and Rowley, the Witch of Edmonton. After 1637 he disappears from the scene. As he had already been more than once imprisoned for debt, this may have also been his ultimate fate.