Jonson

BEN JONSON (1572 - 1637)

Jonson was probably of Border descent. His grandfather came from Carlisle (originally from Annandale). Jonson was certainly an admirer of the Border ballads, and said that he would give all his works to have written 'Chevy Chase'. In 1618, the playwright, though bulky and getting on in years, walked all the way to Scotland to visit William Drummond of Hawthornden, near Edinburgh. He passed through Newcastle in August, having bought a new pair of shoes in Darlington. He was still wearing them when he came back through Newcastle in January 1619. John Taylor (q.v.) the 'Water Poet' is supposed to have burlesqued Jonson's enterprise in his own Penniless Pilgrimage, but Jonson, who met Taylor in Leith, good naturedly gave him money to continue his journey.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
BEN JONSON (1572 - 1637) Jonson was probably of Border descent. His grandfather came from Carlisle (originally from Annandale). Jonson was certainly an admirer of the Border ballads, and said that he would give all his works to have written 'Chevy Chase'. In 1618, the playwright, though bulky and getting on in years, walked all the way to Scotland to visit William Drummond of Hawthornden, near Edinburgh. He passed through Newcastle in August, having bought a new pair of shoes in Darlington. He was still wearing them when he came back through Newcastle in January 1619. John Taylor (q.v.) the 'Water Poet' is supposed to have burlesqued Jonson's enterprise in his own Penniless Pilgrimage, but Jonson, who met Taylor in Leith, good naturedly gave him money to continue his journey.
Return to Index	On to next Author