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1572
Father
His father had lost his property and was imprisoned. While becoming a clergyman he was released but died a month before Ben Jonson's birth. -
Jun 11, 1572
Birth
Ben Jonson was born June 11, 1572 in London, England. -
1578
Influence
Ben Jonson attended Westminister School in the late 1570's where he met William Camden. Ben Jonson was influenced and he even imitated some of William's skills. -
Work
Ben Jonson had left Westminster school to work briefly for his stepfather as a bricklayer. Then served in the military before working as an actor and playwright. -
"Bubonic Plague"
The Bubonic Plague's increasing activity appeared in London, UK around the 1580-90s which also happened to kill Ben Jonson's son. -
"Battle of Ivry"
During this time a war had broke out between the English/France and Spanish. -
His daughter
Ben Jonson had a daughter who soon died 6 months later whom he wrote a poem about which was called "On my First Daughter." -
His family
In 1594 he married a woman named Anne Lewis. He then had two children with her whose names were Mary Jonson and Benjamin Jonson. -
Offence play
In 1597, Jonson co-wrote the play "The Isle of the Dogs" alongside Thomas Nashe. It was stopped after it caused offence to many. Jonson was then charged and arrested, but Thomas Nashe managed to escape. -
"First Great Success"
In 1598, Jonson produced a play that was a success when published, though it is not known if it was a success on stage as well. "Every Man In His Humour" was then followed by "Every Man Out His Humour" a year later. In the first play Shakespeare was one of the first actors to be cast. -
His son Benjman
He had a son born 1593 who soon died at the age of seven, Ben would write about his son in his poems one being titled "On My First Sonne" -
"Volpone"
"Volpone" is also a comedy based play about the character Volpone who is a con artist. This play was one of Ben Jonson's most preformed plays. -
Galileo Galilei
Galileo sees the moons of Jupiter, he also discovers his theory about the planets circling the sun was correct. -
"The Alchemist"
Ben Jonson preformed this play in this year but didn't officially publish it until 1612. "The Alchemist" is a comedy based play about Lovewit who leaves his house in the hands of his scheming servant. -
William Shakespeare
Ben jonson did write three years after Shakespeare's death, that he loved Shakespeare and honors his memory as much as any. It was also known that Ben had falsely criticized the only playwright that he knew to be his superior. -
Period: to
Thirty years war.
The Thirty years war began in the year 1618. It was between Germany and Central Europe. The estimated death toll was 4.5 to 8 million. It then ended in the year 1648. -
Degree
In his return to England he had received an Honorary Master of Arts degree from Oxford University. -
The Mayflower
The Pilgrims arrive on the Mayflower from England at Plymouth, Massachusetts. -
His health
Ben jonson had an illness that caused him to become paralyzed, he then spent the last of his years where he was born, in Westminster. -
Period: to
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built in Agra, India. -
His death
Ben jonson died on or around this day. He was then buried the next day in Westminster Abbey. On his grave it said "O Rare Ben Johnson"
