Katherine Philips facts for kids
Katherine Philips (born January 1, 1632 – died June 22, 1664) was a very talented writer from England and Wales. She was known as "The Matchless Orinda" because she was so unique and skilled. She was a poet and also translated plays from French into English. Many famous writers, like John Dryden and John Keats, thought she was very important and inspiring.
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Who Was Katherine Philips?
Katherine Philips was born in London, England. She lived during a time when England had a king, and there was a big civil war. She supported the king, which meant she was a "royalist." This was a big part of her life and her writing.
Early Life and Education
Katherine's father was a merchant, which means he bought and sold goods. She went to a boarding school in London. At school, she learned many things, including French. This skill would become very important later in her life.
Becoming a Famous Poet
Katherine Philips started writing poetry when she was young. She wrote about friendship, loyalty, and nature. Her poems were often shared among her friends and other writers. She became well-known for her unique style and deep thoughts.
Her Important Translations
One of Katherine's biggest achievements was translating plays by a famous French writer named Pierre Corneille. She translated his plays Pompée and Horace into English. Translating means changing a play or book from one language to another. This was a very difficult and important job, especially for a woman in her time. Her translations were very popular and helped introduce French plays to English audiences.
What is a Royalist?
During Katherine Philips's life, England was divided by a civil war. Some people supported the King (these were called Royalists), and others supported Parliament. Katherine was a strong Royalist. This meant she believed in the King's right to rule. Her support for the King often showed up in her poems and her friendships.
Why Was She "Matchless"?
Katherine Philips was called "The Matchless Orinda" because "matchless" means she had no equal, and "Orinda" was a special name she used for herself in her poems. She was seen as an extraordinary writer, especially because it was unusual for women to be famous poets and translators in the 1600s. She showed that women could be just as talented and influential as men in literature.
Her Legacy
Katherine Philips died quite young, at the age of 32, from smallpox. Even though her life was short, her work continued to be important. After she died, her poems and translations were published in books. These books helped her ideas and her talent reach even more people. She inspired many writers who came after her and showed that women could have a powerful voice in the world of literature.
Images for kids
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Engraving of a bust of Catherine Philips
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A page from a manuscript copy of Philips' poetry, c. 1670.
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A friendly robot.
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