Wither, George (1588-1667)

Wither, George (1588-1667)

English poet, a friend of William Browne, with whom he was associated in the small group of poets at the beginning of the 17th century, who wrote in the pastoral style of Edmund Spenser. His verse publications include The Shepherd's Pipe ( 1614), a collection of eclogues to which Browne and John Davies of Hereford also contributed; Shepherd's Hunting ( 1615); Fidelia ( 1615); Fair Virtue ( 1622).

He also wrote Abuses Stript and Whipt, a book of satires for the publication of which he was sentenced to prison, several volumes of hymns and psalms, and a number of pamphlets on questions of religious and political controversy of the time. Wither was of strong Puritan sympathies and during the Civil War was a captain in the Parliamentary army. It is said that on one occasion he was saved from hanging by the Royalists by the plea by Sir John DENHAM that "whilst [Wither] lived, he [Denham] should not be the worst poet in England."