Joseph Rutter facts for kids

Joseph Rutter was an English poet and translator who lived in the 1600s. He was known for his plays and for translating important works.

Joseph Rutter's Life

Joseph Rutter was part of a special group of writers. They were called the "Tribe of Ben." This group admired the famous writer Ben Jonson. Jonson even wrote poems praising Rutter's work.

For a while, Rutter lived with a man named Sir Kenelm Digby. This was after Sir Kenelm's wife, Lady Venetia Digby, passed away in 1633. Rutter also worked as a teacher. He taught the sons of Edward Sackville, 4th Earl of Dorset. His students were Richard and Edward.

Joseph Rutter's Writings

In 1635, Joseph Rutter published a play. It was called The Shepheard's Holy Day. A Pastorall Tragi Comœdie. This play was performed for the King and Queen at White Hall. The book also included a sad poem. This poem was about the noble Lady Venetia Digby.

The famous writer Ben Jonson wrote a special introduction for Rutter's play. He called Rutter his "dear son and right learned friend." Another writer, Thomas May, also wrote an introduction.

Rutter wrote a poem honoring Ben Jonson. This poem was included in a collection called Jonsonus Virbius. This book was published in London in 1638.

For the Earl of Dorset, Rutter translated a play. It was a French play by Corneille called The Cid. Rutter translated it into English. This translation was written in blank verse. Blank verse is poetry that does not rhyme. Some people say that Rutter's students helped him with part of the translation.

The second part of The Cid translation was published in 1640. The King himself asked for it to be published. Both parts of the translation were printed again in London in 1650.