Lewis Machin facts for kids

Lewis Machin was an English poet and playwright who lived in the early 1600s. We don't know exactly when he was born or when he died. The term floruit (often shortened to "fl.") means the time when he was most active, which was between 1607 and 1609. He was known for writing plays and poems during a very exciting time for English theatre.

Who Was Lewis Machin?

Lewis Machin was a writer from England. He lived during the early 17th century. This was a time when many famous playwrights like William Shakespeare were also active. Machin was both a poet, who wrote poems, and a playwright, who wrote plays for the stage.

Early Career and Collaborations

Machin often worked with other writers. He might have worked with a writer named Gervase Markham. They may have worked on a play called The Dumb Knight. Some people thought they wrote it together around 1601. However, it is now believed that Machin probably updated Markham's play later, around 1608 or 1609. This was a common practice back then.

Notable Works and Contributions

Lewis Machin contributed to several interesting projects. In 1607, some of his poems were published. These poems were called "certaine Eglogs" and were added to a longer poem. This longer poem was written by an actor and playwright named William Barksted. It was titled Mirrha the Mother of Adonis. Machin also wrote a special poem praising Barksted's work. This type of poem is called a "commendatory verse."

Around the same time, Machin worked closely with Barksted again. They helped to finish a play called The Insatiate Countess. This play was originally started by another famous playwright, John Marston. Machin and Barksted completed it for a theatre group. This group was called the Children of the King's Revels. They performed at the Whitefriars Theatre in London. This theatre group did not last very long.

It is also thought that Lewis Machin wrote another play. This play was called Every Woman In Her Humour. It was performed in 1609. This shows that Machin was an active writer during his time.