Sir Erasmus Dryden, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Erasmus Dryden, 1st Baronet (born December 20, 1553 – died May 22, 1632) was an English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons in 1624. A baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family.

Early Life and Family

Erasmus Dryden was the son of John Dryden. His father built a famous house called Canons Ashby House in Northamptonshire, England. Erasmus's mother was Elizabeth Cope. Her family had owned the land where Canons Ashby House was built.

Sir Erasmus Dryden had many interesting relatives. He was the grandfather of the famous poet John Dryden. John Dryden later became England's first Poet Laureate, a special poet for the country. Erasmus was also the uncle of Elizabeth (Dryden) Swift, who was the grandmother of another well-known writer, Jonathan Swift. Jonathan Swift wrote "Gulliver's Travels." Erasmus was also the uncle of Anne Hutchinson, a famous Puritan preacher.

Education and Career

Erasmus Dryden started studying at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1571 when he was 18 years old. He earned his first degree in 1577. After Oxford, he studied law at the Middle Temple in London.

He held an important local job called High Sheriff of Northamptonshire twice, first in 1599 and again in 1618. The High Sheriff was in charge of law and order in the county.

In 1619, he was given the title of Baronet. This was a special honor from the King. In 1624, Erasmus Dryden was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for the town of Banbury. He served in the Happy Parliament, which was a meeting of Parliament that year.

Marriage and Children

Sir Erasmus Dryden married Frances Wilkes. She was the daughter of William Wilkes from Warwickshire. They had three sons and four daughters. His oldest son, John, took over the Baronet title after his father. His youngest son, also named Erasmus, was the father of the famous poet John Dryden.