Christopher Middleton (1560? – 1628) was an English poet and translator.

Life

The ''

Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

'' gives tentative information. He may be identical with the Christopher Middleton of

Cheshire Cheshire ( ) is a ceremonial and historic county in North West England, bordered by Wales to the west, Merseyside and Greater Manchester to the north, Derbyshire to the east, and Staffordshire and Shropshire to the south. Cheshire's coun ...

who matriculated from

Brasenose College, Oxford Brasenose College (BNC) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It began as Brasenose Hall in the 13th century, before being founded as a college in 1509. The library and chapel were added in the m ...

, 12 December 1580, aged 20. A clergyman of the same name, who graduated B.D. from

St. John's College, Cambridge St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge founded by the Tudor matriarch Lady Margaret Beaufort. In constitutional terms, the college is a charitable corporation established by a charter dated 9 April 1511. The ...

, in 1619, was rector of

Aston-le-Walls Aston le Walls is a village and civil parish in West Northamptonshire, England, close by the border with Oxfordshire. The village is about north of Banbury in Oxfordshire, and south of Daventry. Neighbouring villages are Chipping Warden, Lowe ...

Northamptonshire Northamptonshire (; abbreviated Northants.) is a county in the East Midlands of England. In 2015, it had a population of 723,000. The county is administered by two unitary authorities: North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire. It is ...

, from 1612 till his death there in 1628.

Works

Middleton was the author of: *''A Short Introduction for to Learn to Swimme, gathered out of Master Digbies Booke of the Art of Swimming, and translated into English for the better instruction of those who understand not the Latin tongue, by Christopher Middleton,'' 1595, 4to. This was illustrated with woodcuts of persons swimming, and was a translation of the ''De Arte Natandi libri duo'', 1587, of

Everard Digby Sir Everard Digby (c. 1578 – 30 January 1606) was a member of the group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Although he was raised in a Protestant household, and married a Protestant, Digby and his w ...

. *''The Historie of Heaven: containing the Poetical Fictions of all the Starres in the Firmament, gathered from amongst all the Poets and Astronomers, by Chrystopher Middleton. Printed for him 1596''. *''The Famous Historie of Chinon of England, with his Strange Adventures for the love of Celestina, daughter to Lewis, King of France; with the worthy Atchivement of Sir Lancelot du Lake, and Sir Tristram du Lions for faire Laura, daughter to Cadar, Earle of Cornewall, being all Knights of King Arthur's Round Table. By Chr. Middleton. At London, printed by John Danter for Cuthbert Burbie'', 1597. *''The Legend of Humphrey, Duke of Glocester, by Chr. Middleton. London, printed by E. A. for

Nicholas Ling Nicholas Ling ( fl.1570–1607) was a London publisher, bookseller, and editor who published several important Elizabethan works, including the first and second quartos of Shakespeare's ''Hamlet''. Ling was the son of John Lynge, a parchment mak ...

'', 1600. The author dedicates this poem to Sir Jarvis Clifton. It is preceded by a Latin hexastichon by

Robert Allott Robert Allott (fl. 1600) was an Elizabethan editor of poetry who published the verse compilation ''England's Parnassus'' in 1600. He is probably the same Robert Allott who was a fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge. Sonnets in English and Lati ...

, a sonnet by

Michael Drayton Michael Drayton (1563 – 23 December 1631) was an English poet who came to prominence in the Elizabethan era. He died on 23 December 1631 in London. Early life Drayton was born at Hartshill, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. Almost noth ...

, and two short poems by

John Weever John Weever (1576–1632) was an English antiquary and poet. He is best known for his ''Epigrammes in the Oldest Cut, and Newest Fashion'' (1599), containing epigrams on Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and other poets of his day, and for his ''Ancient ...

. The poem, consisting of 184 six-line stanzas, is written on the plan of the poems in the ''Mirror for Magistrates''. SWIMME

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Middleton, Christopher 17th-century English poets 17th-century English male writers 1560s births 1628 deaths 16th-century English poets 16th-century English translators 17th-century English translators English male poets

Life

Works

Further reading

Notes

References