When was Ben Jonson born and where did he grow up?
Ben Jonson was born in June 1572, possibly on the 11th, in or near London. His father died a month before his birth, leaving him to be raised by a stepfather who was a master bricklayer.
Questions about Ben Jonson
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why was Ben Jonson imprisoned in 1598 and what happened to him?
Ben Jonson was imprisoned in Newgate Prison on the 22nd of September 1598 after killing a fellow actor named Gabriel Spenser in a duel in Hogsden Fields. He was branded with the letter T on his left thumb but was released by benefit of clergy.
Who did Ben Jonson fight against during the War of the Theatres?
Ben Jonson fought against John Marston and Thomas Dekker during the War of the Theatres. He produced plays like Poetaster to attack them, while Dekker responded with Satiromastix to caricature Jonson as a boastful figure.
When did Ben Jonson become England's first Poet Laureate and what pension did he receive?
Ben Jonson received a yearly pension of 100 marks in 1616, making him England's first Poet Laureate although the title was never formally granted. He later received an annual pension of £100 from King Charles I.
What journey did Ben Jonson take in 1618 and who recorded his conversations?
Ben Jonson walked from London to Edinburgh and arrived on the 17th of September 1618. He stayed with the Scottish poet William Drummond of Hawthornden, who recorded their conversations in the Hawthornden Manuscripts.
What happened to Ben Jonson's works and health in 1623 and 1628?
A fire destroyed many of Ben Jonson's books, papers, and writings in 1623. He suffered a stroke in 1628 that left him paralyzed, though he continued to write plays like The Staple of News.