Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson (c. 1572–1637) was an English playwright, poet, and literary critic whose career flourished in the Jacobean era. A leading figure of London’s theatrical world, he wrote sharp comedies that satirized greed, hypocrisy, and social pretension, often drawing on classical models and a rigorous sense of form. His best-known plays include *Volpone*, *The Alchemist*, and *Bartholomew Fair*, works celebrated for their intricate plotting and vivid character types. Jonson also produced court masques and influential poetry, and his critical views helped shape debates about literary craft and standards in early modern England.