Waller

Waller, Edmund (1605-87), poet, was born at Coleshill, in Warwickshire, and educated at Eton and Cambridge. After the death of his first wife he courted Lady Dorothy Sidney, the "Saccharissa" of his verses, but his suit was unsuccessful. After the Restoration Waller enjoyed high favour at Court, and was a very popular member of the House of Commons. His influence was exerted chiefly in reshaping the heroic couplet, which now became the favorite English metre.