Rochester John Wilmot

Rochester, John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of (1647-80), poet, was born in Oxfordshire, and in early life distinguished himself in the army. His father died in 1659, and on succeeding to the title he became a boon companion of Charles II., and was considered the most profligate of all that king's associates. He told Bishop Burnet that he had been intoxicated for four years without break. His early death was the result of this dissoluteness, but he became extremely repentant at the end. His poems, which are sometimes very witty, were collected and published in 1680. He had ordered them to be destroyed, on account of their licentious character, but his wishes were not carried out.