Prior, Matthew

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin

(1664-1721)

Poet, b. near Wimborne Minster, Dorset, s. of a joiner who, having d., he was ed. by an uncle, and sent to Westminster School. Befriended by the Earl of Dorset he proceeded to Camb., and while there wrote, jointly with Charles Montague, The Town and Country Mouse, a burlesque of Dryden's Hind and Panther. After holding various diplomatic posts, in which he showed ability and discretion, he entered Parliament in 1700, and, deserting the Whigs, joined the Tories, by whom he was employed in various capacities, including that of Ambassador at Paris. On the death of Queen Anne he was recalled, and in 1715 imprisoned, but after two years released. In 1719 a folio ed. of his works was brought out, by which he realised £4000, and Lord Harley having presented him with an equal sum, he looked forward to the peace and comfort which were his chief ambition. He did not, however, long enjoy his prosperity, dying two years later. Among his poems may be mentioned Solomon, which he considered his best work, Alma, or the Progress of the Mind, The Female Phaeton, To a Child of Quality, and some prose tales. His chief characteristic is a certain elegance and easy grace, in which he is perhaps unrivalled. His character appears to have been by no means unimpeachable, but he was amiable and free from any trace of vindictiveness.

Related Words

prior
prĭor and prĭus (old form also in neutr. prior, Val. Antias and Quadrig. ap. Prisc. p. 767), ōris,...

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
prior
prior neut. prius, ōris, adj.comp.(for sup.see primus) PRO-, former, previous, prior, first : me q...

An Elementary Latin Dictionary
Prior
·adj The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity. II. Prior ·add. ·adj First, prec...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Matthew
given; a reward ...

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Matthew
Gift of God, a common Jewish name after the Exile. He was the son of Alphaeus, and was a publican or...

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Matthew
(gift of Jehovah). (A contraction, as is also Matthias, of Mattathias. His original name was Levi, a...

William Smith's Bible Dictionary
Arnold, Matthew
(1822-1888) Poet and critic, s. of Dr. A., of Rugby (q.v.), was b. at Laleham and ed. at Rugby, Win...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Green, Matthew
(1696-1737) Poet, is known as the author of The Spleen, a lively and original poem in octosyllabic ...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Henry, Matthew
(1662-1714) Commentator, s. of Philip H., a learned Nonconformist divine, was b. in Flintshire. He ...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Paris, Matthew
(c. 1195-1259) Chronicler, entered in 1217 the Benedictine Monastery of St. Albans, and continued t...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
matthew walker
A knot, so termed from the originator. It is formed by a half hitch on each strand in the direction ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
Hale, Sir Matthew
(1609-1676) Jurist and miscellaneous writer, has left a great reputation as a lawyer and judge. Ste...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Lewis, Matthew Gregory
(1775-1818) Novelist, s. of Matthew L., Deputy Sec. in the War Office, was ed. at Westminster and O...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Barrie, James Matthew
LL.D. (b. 1860) Novelist and dramatist. Auld Licht Idylls, When a Man's Single (1888), A Window in...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
Shiel, Matthew Phipps
(b. 1865) Novelist. The Rajah's Sapphire, Shapes in the Fire, The Yellow Danger, Unto the Third Gen...

Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature by John W. Cousin
(St.) Matthew Friday Street
On the east side of Friday Street in Bread Street Ward and Farringdon Ward Within (O.S. 1880). Firs...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
(St.) Matthew Silver Street
Mentioned in Fabyan's Chronicle. See St. Olave Silver Street. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
Matthew, Gospel Of
Its authorship .-That this Gospel was written by the apostle Matthew there is no reason to doubt. Se...

William Smith's Bible Dictionary
Matthew, Gospel according to
The author of this book was beyond a doubt the Matthew, an apostle of our Lord, whose name it bears....

Easton's Bible Dictionary
West Smithfield, Prior and Convent of
Qy. St. Bartholomew Priory or Charterhouse. Probably St. Bartholomew. ...

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.