Thomas Sackville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Sackville
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| Born | 1535/6 |
| Died | 19 April 1608 London, England
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| Cause of death | Stroke |
| Resting place | Westminster Abbey |
| Nationality | English |
| Known for | Plays and poetry |
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Notable work
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Gorboduc (play) Induction (poem) Buckingham's Complaint (poem) |
Thomas Sackville, the 1st earl of Dorset, was an important English writer and politician. He lived from about 1535 or 1536 to 1608. He was famous for his plays and poems. He also held very important jobs in the government and at Oxford University.
Who Was Thomas Sackville?
Thomas Sackville was born in England, in a place called Buckhurst in Sussex. His father, Sir Richard Sackville, worked for King Henry VIII. In 1555, Thomas married Cicely Baker.
A Career in Politics
Thomas Sackville first worked as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer, in London. He became a member of Parliament in 1558. Parliament is a group of people who make laws for a country.
Later, in 1585, he joined the Privy Council. This was a special group of advisors to the monarch. In 1586, he was involved in the trial of Mary, Queen of Scots. He also went on important trips to other countries to represent England. These trips are called diplomatic missions.
In 1591, Sackville became the Chancellor of Oxford University. This is a very high position at a university. From 1599 until he died in 1608, he was the lord high treasurer. This job meant he was in charge of the country's money. Thomas Sackville died from a stroke.
His Famous Writings
Thomas Sackville is well-known for his play called Gorboduc. This play was written in 1563 with another writer named Thomas Norton. Gorboduc was the first English tragedy written using something called blank verse. Blank verse is a type of poetry that does not rhyme but has a special rhythm.
Sackville also wrote two great poems: Induction and Buckingham's Complaint. These poems were published in a book called The Mirror for Magistrates in 1563. Because of his play and his poems, Thomas Sackville is considered one of the most important English poets and playwrights of his time.
Further Reading
- Encyclopedia of British writers, 16th and 17th centuries. (2005). Book Builders LLC.
