Francis Coventry facts for kids

Francis Coventry (born in 1725, died in 1759) was an English writer and a church leader. He is best known for his book called The History of Pompey the Little.

About Francis Coventry's Life

Francis Coventry was born in a place called Cambridgeshire, England. He went to Magdalene College, Cambridge for his education. He earned his first degree in 1748 and a higher degree in 1752.

A relative, the Earl of Coventry, helped him get a job as a church leader in Edgware. Francis Coventry sadly died in Whitchurch from a disease called smallpox. He was only 34 years old.

Francis Coventry's Books and Writings

An illustration from Pompey the Little, drawn by John June.

Francis Coventry wrote several things:

• Penshurst, a poem: This was a poem he wrote in 1750. It was later printed in a collection of writings.
• The World: He wrote a part for a magazine called The World in 1753. It talked about new and sometimes silly ideas in gardening at the time.
• Pompey the Little, or the Adventures of a Lapdog: This was his most famous book, published in 1751. It's a funny story about the adventures of a small pet dog. Some people thought the characters in the book were based on real people from that time. A famous writer named Lady Mary Wortley Montagu even said she liked it more than another popular book called Peregrine Pickle.