[edit] Guide Note
Alexander Pope is considered as one of the great poet of the eighteenth century. He is famous for his works like An Essay on Criticism, An Essay on Man and his translation of Homer's Iliad.
[edit] Life & Literary Works
Alexander Pope was born in London to a Roman Catholic Alexander and Edith Pope. Pope's education was affected in his younger age due to some laws in force and was taught to read by his aunt. Also the health problems Pope faced in his younger stage like asthma and headaches were obstacles for his education career. One of the major issues was Pott's Disease, a kind of Tuberculosis which limited his growth to 1.37 meters. His shortness became a advantageous element for the critics. Due to his melodious voice, Alexander Pope was also called as the "The Little Nightingale". When his formal education is by end, Pope started reading a lot of books from his father's library. "He did nothing but write and read" recalled his half-sister.
Pope and his family was forced to move to a small estate in Binfield, Berkshire, due to anti-Catholic sentiment. Pope later describes his house in his poem Windster Frost. His first major work, An Essay on Criticism was published at his age of 21.
Alexander Pope is well known for his literary works like Pastorals, Translation of the Iliad, Eloisa to Abelard,Translation of the Odyssey, The Dunciad and Essay on Man.
[edit] Fast Facts
- Full Name: Alexander Pope
- Born: May 21, 1688
- Birthplace: London, United Kingdom.
- Affected by Tuberculosis in his younger age which continued till his death.
- Mentioned as A.Pope in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
- Died May 30, 1744 at his age of 56.
[edit] Quotes
- "Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be." - Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism
- "Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies." - - Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man
- "A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
