Francis Meres
Francis Meres entered the world in 1565 at Kirton Meres within the parish of Kirton, Lincolnshire. His early years unfolded under the watchful eye of a local community that valued learning and tradition. He attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1587. The rigorous academic environment shaped his intellectual foundation for decades to come. Two years later, he secured a Master of Arts from the same institution. This achievement marked him as a scholar of considerable promise among his peers. In 1593, he was incorporated as an MA of Oxford University. Such dual recognition from both major universities set him apart from many contemporaries. A relative named John Meres served as high sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1596. That connection likely provided crucial support during Meres's formative professional years.
In 1602, Francis Meres assumed the role of rector at Wing in Rutland. He established a school alongside his pastoral duties, blending spiritual guidance with education. His wife Mary lived between 1576 and 1631, though her maiden name remains unknown to historians. They had one son named Francis, born in 1607. Both their son and grandson Edward went on to earn degrees from Cambridge. Each eventually became rectors themselves, continuing a family legacy of clerical service. Meres died on the 29th of January 1647. He was buried in the parish Church of St Peter and St Paul located in Wing, Rutland. The quiet rural setting contrasted sharply with the bustling literary circles he occasionally engaged with through his writings.
The year 1598 saw the publication of Palladis Tamia, subtitled Wits Treasury. This commonplace book compiled moral reflections drawn from various sources into a single volume. It contained sections dedicated to books, philosophy, music, and painting. A notable chapter compared English poets with Greek, Latin, and Italian writers. The text listed twelve plays by William Shakespeare for the first time in print. Printed by P. Short for Cuthbert Burbie, it reached readers eager for literary commentary. Don C. Allen later produced a facsimile reprint housed at the Henry E. Huntington Library. That edition included an introduction highlighting Meres's classical scholarship. The work stood as both a collection of wisdom and a critical survey of contemporary literature.
Meres provided the earliest known critical account of poems and early plays by William Shakespeare. His list contributed significantly to establishing the chronological order of those dramatic works. Scholars rely on this document when tracing the development of Elizabethan drama. The comparison chapter placed English poets alongside their classical counterparts in a structured manner. Chaucer appeared at the beginning of the poetic lineage while Meres wrote about his own day. No other source before 1598 offered such detailed commentary on Shakespeare’s output. George Greenwood investigated claims made by Charlotte Stopes regarding family connections but found errors in her assertions. Despite these debates, the core value of Palladis Tamia remains undisputed among historians. It stands as the primary evidence linking specific plays to their approximate dates of composition.
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Common questions
When was Francis Meres born and where did he live?
Francis Meres entered the world in 1565 at Kirton Meres within the parish of Kirton, Lincolnshire. He died on the 29th of January 1647 and was buried in the parish Church of St Peter and St Paul located in Wing, Rutland.
What degrees did Francis Meres earn from Cambridge University?
Francis Meres earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1587. Two years later, he secured a Master of Arts from the same institution.
Which book by Francis Meres listed twelve plays by William Shakespeare for the first time?
The year 1598 saw the publication of Palladis Tamia, subtitled Wits Treasury. This commonplace book contained a notable chapter that listed twelve plays by William Shakespeare for the first time in print.
Who were the parents of the son named Francis who became a rector?
Francis Meres had one son named Francis, born in 1607, with his wife Mary who lived between 1576 and 1631. Both their son and grandson Edward went on to earn degrees from Cambridge and eventually became rectors themselves.
When did Francis Meres become the rector at Wing in Rutland?
In 1602, Francis Meres assumed the role of rector at Wing in Rutland. He established a school alongside his pastoral duties while blending spiritual guidance with education.