Southwell Robert

Southwell, ROBERT (1560-95), poet, was born in Norfolk, and, after completing his studies at Douai College, became a Jesuit at Rome. He returned to England as a missionary, and his zeal in converting was so obnoxious that he was thrown into prison in July, 1592, remaining there three years. He was finally executed at Tyburn in February, 1595, on a charge of disseminating Catholic doctrines in England, His poems are chiefly religious, and are often excellent. St. Peter's Complaynt, 1593, and Maeniae, a collection of hymns, published in 1595, are his best-known works. His prose writings are less known, but are deserving of praise.