Richard Edwardes

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For other persons named Richard Edwards, see Richard Edwards (disambiguation).

Richard Edwardes (1523? - 1566) was an English poet and playwright; he was made a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and was master of the singing boys. He was known for his comedies and interludes.

In 1566, Edwards' Palaman and Arcite was performed before Elizabeth I at Oxford when the stage fell — three people died and five were injured as a result. Despite the tragic accident, the show continued to play that night.

Damon and Pythias (written in 1564, published in 1571), a comedy, is his only extant play.

Ten of Edwards' poems appear in the first edition of the Paradise of Dainty Devices, though publisher Henry Disle says the poems are "written for the most part by M. [Master] Edwards." Edwards possibly compiled the manuscript on which the Paradise of Dainty Devices is based.

[edit] Sources

This article incorporates public domain text from: Cousin, John William (1910). A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. London, J.M. Dent & sons; New York, E.P. Dutton. Paradise of Dainty Devices (linked below)