Ben Jonson
Person Born 11/6/1572 Died /8/1637
Categories: Theatre
Countries: Scotland
Playwright and poet. Born in Westminster, possibly, and a committed Londoner, though also of proud Scottish descent. Imprisoned three times, once for his first play which was deemed to be "lewd, seditious and sklandrous". His first hit was at The Curtain Theatre with Shakespeare in the cast. Best known for his satirical plays, such as 'Volpone' and 'The Alchemist'. In 1618 he walked from London to Scotland in 10 weeks, for a bet it is thought. Long rumoured to have been buried standing up, which would mean the coffin was interred vertically. Luckily for us the grave had to be disturbed in the C19th to allow another burial and there are reports that indeed Jonson was vertical, but the coffin-bearers got it wrong and buried him upside down. Great story, hope it's true.
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