William Cartwright (dramatist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Cartwright
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| Born | 1 September 1611 Northway, Gloucestershire |
| Died | 29 November 1643 (aged 32) |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Genre | playwright |
William Cartwright (born September 1, 1611 – died November 29, 1643) was an English writer. He was a talented poet, a dramatist (playwright), and also a churchman. He lived during a very interesting time in English history.
Contents
A Young Writer's Life
William Cartwright was born in Northway, Gloucestershire. His father was also named William Cartwright.
He went to school at the free school in Cirencester. Later, he studied at Westminster School in London. These schools helped him prepare for university.
In 1632, when he was 20, he started studying at Christ Church, Oxford University. He earned his first degree (BA) in 1632. He then earned his master's degree (MA) in 1635.
His Career and Plays
Cartwright became a teacher at Oxford University. He taught "metaphysics," which is a branch of philosophy. People said he was a very good speaker.
In 1642, he became a "succentor" at Salisbury Cathedral. This was a church role, helping with the choir and services. In 1643, he was chosen as a "junior proctor" at the university. This meant he helped keep order and manage student affairs.
Cartwright was seen as a follower of the famous playwright Ben Jonson. He was part of a group called the "Sons of Ben." These writers tried to copy Jonson's style of comedy.
Many famous writers and musicians admired Cartwright. Henry Lawes, a musician, even set some of Cartwright's songs to music. Other writers like Izaak Walton and Henry Vaughan praised his work.
Some people thought Cartwright's play The Ordinary was not as good as Jonson's plays. They felt it was just a copy and not very original.
The English Civil War
In 1642, the English Civil War began. Cartwright was part of a council of war in Oxford. This shows he was involved in the events of his time.
Sadly, he died young, at age 32, from a sickness called "camp fever." This was a serious illness, like typhus, that spread easily. He was buried in Christ Church Cathedral. It is said that King Charles I of England wore black clothes to show respect on the day of Cartwright's funeral.
William Cartwright's Works
Cartwright wrote several plays. Many of his plays had complicated plots and felt a bit unnatural.
Here are some of his plays:
- The Royal Slave (1636): Students at Christ Church performed this play for the king and queen. Henry Lawes wrote music for it.
- The Lady Errant (acted 1635–1636; printed 1651)
- The Siege, or Love's Convert (printed 1651)
His play The Ordinary (written around 1635) was a comedy about everyday life. It was inspired by Ben Jonson's style. This play showed scenes from common places, like a pub.
