John Fletcher

John Fletcher (1579–1625) was an English Jacobean playwright and dramatist. He became one of the most prominent writers for the London stage in the early seventeenth century, working closely with Francis Beaumont on a series of influential tragicomedies and comedies. After Shakespeare’s retirement, Fletcher rose in importance within the King’s Men and is widely described as succeeding Shakespeare as the company’s principal playwright. Fletcher also collaborated with other dramatists and contributed to plays associated with Shakespeare’s circle. His work helped shape the tone and structure of later Jacobean drama, and his plays remained popular in performance and print for decades after his death.