D'Urfey, Thomas

D'Urfey, Thomas

▪ British dramatist
born , 1653, Exeter?, Devon, Eng.
died February 1723, London
 English dramatist, satirist, and songwriter with a light satirical touch whose plays were very popular in their time; his comedies, with complicated plots carried forward by lively dialogue, to some extent pointed the way to sentimental comedy of the later 18th century.

      D'Urfey was descended from French Huguenot refugees and was a prolific and adaptable writer. Patronized by King Charles II, whom he entertained as a jester and singer, and more cautiously by James II, D'Urfey changed his religious and political allegiance on the accession of William and Mary and was, in turn, favoured by them. He befriended such literary figures as the essayists Richard Steele and Joseph Addison. D'Urfey wrote 32 plays between 1676 and 1688. Like others, he was attacked by the English bishop Jeremy Collier for the supposed immorality of his plays. He also wrote some 500 songs, many of which were inserted in contemporary ballad operas, and wrote texts to be set to music by Henry Purcell, notably an ode, “The Yorkshire Feast Song,” and an epilogue for Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas. Near the end of his life he published a large popular collection of songs and ballads, Wit and Mirth; or, Pills to Purge Melancholy (1719–20).

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • D'Urfey, Thomas — (1653 1723)    Generally known as Tom Durfey, he was born at Exeter, of Huguenot descent, and remained a Protestant until he died. He was writing in the reigns of four monarchs: Charles II, James II, William and Mary, and Queen Anne. His output… …   British and Irish poets

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  • Urfey — Thomas d Urfey Thomas d Urfey (1653 1723) fut un poète et musicien anglais des plus célèbres et prolifiques de son temps. Portail de la musique Portail de la p …   Wikipédia en Français

  • D'Urfey, Thomas — (1653 1723)    Dramatist and song writer, was a well known man about town, a companion of Charles II., and lived on to the reign of George I. His plays are now forgotten, and he is best known in connection with a collection of songs entitled,… …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

  • Thomas d'Urfey — (Tom Durfey) (1653 26 February 1723), was an English writer and wit. He composed plays, songs, and poetry, in addition to writing jokes. He was an important innovator and contributor in the evolution of the Ballad opera. , and in all layers of… …   Wikipedia

  • Thomas d'Urfey — (Tom Durfey) (1653 26 de febrero de 1723), fue un escritor inglés. Compuso obras de teatro, canciones, poesía, chistes. Fue un importante innovador y contribuidor en la evolución de la ópera de baladas. Su obra más conocida es Wit and Mirth, or… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Thomas Doggett — (or Dogget), (ca. 1670 ndash; 20 September 1721), was an Irish actor.Doggett was born in Dublin, and made his first stage appearance in London in 1691 as Nincompoop in Thomas D Urfey s Love for Money . In this part, and as Solon in the same… …   Wikipedia

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  • D'Urfey — biographical name Thomas 1653 1723 English songwriter & dramatist …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • D'Urfey — /derr fee/, n. Thomas, 1653 1723, English dramatist. * * * …   Universalium

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