Gay

Gay, John, was born of a good family at Frithelstock, Devonshire, in 1688, but, losing his father early, was apprenticed to a silk-mercer in London. He disliked business, and abandoned it for literature. In 1710 appeared his first poem in serio-comic style, the subject being Wine. Two years later the Duchess of Monmouth engaged him as secretary, and in 1713 he published Rural Sports, which was dedicated to Popea life-long friend. The Fan, The Wife of Bath, a comedy, and The Shepherd's Week were produced in quick succession. In 1714 he held for a few months the post of secretary to Lord Clarendon, then ambassador at Hanover, but this was his last bit of official patronage. The Trivia, a very clever sketch of the London life of his day, added much to his reputation in 1716, but Three Hours after Marriage, a comedy in which Pope and Arbuthnot both lent a, hand, proved an utter failure. A subscription for his collected poems and a gift of South Sea Stock from Secretary Craggs might have placed him beyond the reach of want, but he embarked in the prevailing speculations and was reduced to beggary. An illness ensued, from which he was rescued by the kindness of patrons and friends. In 1724 he brought out The Captives, a moderately successful tragedy, and in 1720 came the first volume of his celebrated Fables. The Beggars' Opera in 1727 proved a great hit, and replenished the author's exchequer, which was further swelled by the proceeds of another subscription, got up by the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, whose "house sheltered the poet till his death in 1732. His grave is in Westminster Abbey. The second instalment of his Fables, the Bistrest Wife, and the Rehearsal at Gotham were published posthumously. Polly, a satirical opera, incurred the veto of the Lord Chamberlain; but, being printed, was one of Gay's most profitable ventures.