The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume II.

"The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland" by Theophilus Cibber is a historical record from the 1700s that tells the life stories of numerous British and Irish poets, describing their careers, writing styles, and important works. The book starts with information about the publication and the goal of gathering details about different poets, focusing on those who are not as well-known, like Anthony Brewer and Thomas May. Every poet's story includes summaries of their works, how they affected others, and what was happening in the world around them at the time, often pointing out how they interacted with other writers and political figures. For example, the book explains how Brewer's talent came from the time of King Charles I, talking about his plays and the effect they had, and sharing interesting stories that link these poets to historical events, such as Oliver Cromwell acting in one of Brewer's plays, ultimately revealing the poets artistry and personal lives.