Walter Quin facts for kids
Walter Quin (born around 1575, died 1640) was an Irish poet. He worked for the Stuart royal family in Scotland and England.
Early Life in Ireland
Walter Quin was born in Dublin, Ireland, around 1575. We don't know much about his early life. Around 1590, he traveled to Germany. There, he studied law at the University of Ingolstadt.
Quin often mentioned his Dublin roots in his writings. However, we don't know who his family was. The Stuart kings later gave him land in Ireland. But there is no proof he ever went back to his home country.
Quin was very talented with languages. He wrote in English, Latin, French, and Italian. This skill with many languages was a key part of his work. He was one of the first modern Irish writers to have his original work printed in English. He wrote several books, even if they were thin. These books included court poetry, history, biographies, and philosophy.
Life in Scotland
For reasons we don't know, Quin moved to Scotland. In 1595, he went to the University of St Andrews. He was then introduced to James VI. King James was very impressed by Quin's manners and his poems.
Quin further pleased the king with some special poems. These were called Anagrams. They were based on James's name in four different languages. Quin made an even better impression on New Year's Day 1596. He gave the king a speech about his right to the English throne. This topic was very important because Elizabeth I was getting older. She also had no official heir to the throne.
English spies working for Sir Robert Cecil watched Quin closely. They even sent a copy of Quin's Anagrams to England in 1600. Because of this political interest, a printer in Edinburgh, Robert Waldegrave, refused to print a book Quin had prepared in 1598. At that time, it was said Quin was "answering Spenser's book." King James was reportedly upset by this.
Meanwhile, King James VI hired Quin. He became a tutor for the king's sons. In 1600, Quin showed his loyalty by publishing a book. It was called Sertum Poeticum in honorem Jacobi Sexti. This book included some of Quin's early anagrams about the king. It also had Latin poems and English sonnets. These were written for the royal family. They also honored those who saved King James VI during the Gowrie Conspiracy. In 1603, a poem by Quin appeared in a book by Sir William Alexander. In 1604, Quin wrote a special wedding poem for Sir William's marriage.
Moving to England
In 1603, Quin moved to England with King James. He worked as a music teacher. He taught in the home of Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. Quin was part of the prince's group of friends. He wrote Italian poems for a book called Odcombian Banquet in 1611. Like many other poets, he was sad when the young prince died. His sad poems were printed in a book in 1612.
Later, Quin became a tutor for Prince Charles. For Prince Charles, he put together a book in 1603. It was called Corona Virtutum principe dignarum. This book was about good qualities a prince should have. It gathered ideas from philosophers, historians, and poets. It also included stories about the lives of good Roman emperors.
In 1619, Quin wrote a biography. It was called The Memorie of the most worthy and renowned Bernard Stuart, Lord D'Aubigni, renewed. This book was about Bernard Stewart, 4th Lord of Aubigny. He was a French-Scottish hero. Quin felt this hero was not given enough credit. Bernard Stewart was important in wars in France, Italy, and England. He even fought for Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth. In the book's introduction, Quin said he had collected French notes for a prose story of his hero. But they were not enough. So, he added a short collection of famous historical moments. He also included poems for Prince Charles.
When Charles I married Henrietta Maria in 1625, Quin published new poems. They were called In Nuptiis Principum incomparabilium. These were congratulatory poems in Latin, English, French, and Italian. French poems were important for the French bride. Quin celebrated the joining of England's rose with France's lily. Around this time, he wrote another historical biography. It was a French prose account of famous sayings by Henri IV. Henri IV was the new queen's father. This was Quin's last major work. He died in London in 1640.
Family Life
Walter Quin had a son named James (1621–1659). James was born in Middlesex, England. He earned a scholarship and went to Christ Church, Oxford, in 1639. He earned his degrees in 1642 and 1646. He was also chosen as a senior student.
James was a strong supporter of the king. Because of this, he was removed from his position in 1648. A writer named Anthony à Wood knew James. He often heard James sing "with great admiration." James had a deep bass voice. It was said to be "the best in England." He had great control over his voice. However, he was not very skilled at singing with a group.
James managed to meet Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was so pleased with his singing. After giving him some wine, Cromwell gave James his place back at Christ Church. But in 1651, James was reported to be unwell. He died in October 1659. He was buried in the Christ Church cathedral. James Quin also wrote Latin poems for Oxford University. These were for the king's return from Scotland in 1641. He also wrote for the peace with the Dutch Republic in 1654.
See also
- List of polyglots
