John Gay | |
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![]() Oil painting by Godfrey Kneller of an unknown man traditionally identified as John Gay[1] | |
Born | Barnstaple, England | 30 June 1685
Died | 4 December 1732 London, England | (aged 47)
Known for | Poetry, drama, ballad opera |
Notable work | The Beggar's Opera |
Patron(s) | William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath; The third Earl of Burlington; Charles Douglas, 3rd Duke of Queensberry; Prince William, Duke of Cumberland |
John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club.[2] He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera (1728), a ballad opera.[3] The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, became household names.[4]