# William Davenant

> English poet and playwright

**Wikidata**: [Q450199](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q450199)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Davenant)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-davenant

## Summary
William Davenant was an English poet and playwright, recognized as a prominent figure in 17th-century literature. Born in 1606, he contributed to the theatrical and literary landscape of England, blending his roles as a writer and theatre manager. His work bridges the Elizabethan and Restoration periods, leaving a lasting impact on English drama.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 3, 1606 (disputed February 1606)  
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom  
- **Education**: Lincoln College, Oxford  
- **Known for**: English poetry and playwriting, affiliation with 17th-century theatre  
- **Employer(s)**: Lincoln College, Oxford  
- **Field(s)**: Literature, theatre  

## Contributions
William Davenant authored poetry and plays that shaped 17th-century English literature. While specific titles are not detailed in the source material, his dual role as a poet and playwright underscores his versatility. He is noted for his affiliation with Lincoln College, Oxford, reflecting his intellectual engagement with contemporary academic and artistic circles.

## FAQs
**When was William Davenant born?**  
Davenant’s birth date is recorded as March 3, 1606, though some sources cite February 1606 due to calendrical discrepancies.  

**What institutions was Davenant associated with?**  
He was educated at and affiliated with Lincoln College, Oxford, a key part of his intellectual and professional background.  

**What roles defined Davenant’s career?**  
Primarily a poet and playwright, Davenant’s work spanned multiple literary genres, contributing to the evolution of English drama during the 17th century.  

## Why They Matter
William Davenant’s significance lies in his dual contributions to poetry and theatre, particularly during the transition from the Elizabethan to the Restoration era. His affiliation with Lincoln College, Oxford, underscores his role as an educated literary figure, while his theatrical engagements highlight his influence on the performing arts. Though specific works are not enumerated here, his legacy reflects the cultural shifts of 17th-century England, bridging literary traditions and theatrical innovation.

## Notable For
- **Dual Literary Roles**: Renowned as both a poet and playwright.  
- **Academic Affiliation**: Educated at Lincoln College, Oxford.  
- **Knighthood**: Referenced as "Sir William Davenant," indicating recognition by the monarchy.  
- **Historical Context**: Active during the English Civil War and Restoration periods, influencing literary trends.  

## Body

### Early Life and Education
William Davenant was born on March 3, 1606 (with some sources noting February 1606), in England. He pursued his education at Lincoln College, Oxford, a formative period that shaped his intellectual and literary pursuits. This academic background distinguished him among contemporaries, integrating scholarly rigor into his creative work.

### Career and Artistic Contributions
As a poet and playwright, Davenant’s career spanned a transformative era for English literature. His affiliation with Lincoln College, Oxford, provided a foundation for his intellectual engagement, while his theatrical work reflected the evolving dynamics of 17th-century drama. Though specific titles of his works are not detailed in the source material, his dual focus on poetry and playwriting underscores his adaptability and artistic range.

### Technical Identifiers and Academic Recognition
Davenant is cataloged in numerous academic and bibliographic databases, including:  
- **VIAF ID**: 41838700  
- **ISNI**: 0000000121296136  
- **GND**: 118678981  
- **LC NAF**: n79103858  
- **SUDOC**: 026813394  
- **BNF**: cb11900102j  
- **MusicBrainz**: 8542819  

These identifiers highlight his recognition in global scholarly networks, ensuring his literary contributions remain accessible to researchers and historians.

### Legacy and Historical Context
Active during the English Civil War and the subsequent Restoration, Davenant navigated a period of political and cultural upheaval. His knighthood, reflected in the alias "Sir William Davenant," signals courtly patronage and societal esteem. While the source material does not specify his surviving works, his enduring presence in academic databases and historical records affirms his role in shaping 17th-century literary traditions. Davenant’s integration of poetic and theatrical practices left a legacy that influenced later writers, cementing his place in the canon of English literature.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Peerage
4. Source
5. Library of the World's Best Literature
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. MusicBrainz
8. SNAC
9. International Music Score Library Project
10. Find a Grave
11. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
12. Proleksis Encyclopedia
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html)
15. Czech National Authority Database
16. CONOR.SI
17. CERL Thesaurus
18. Shakeosphere
19. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
20. Carnegie Hall linked open data
21. Enciclopedia Treccani
22. LIBRIS. 2009
23. Catalogo of the National Library of India