Gascoigne George

Background

Gascoigne George was born in 1539.

Career

Though a minor writer, Gascoigne was a literary pioneer who wrote or translated the first English novella, The Adventures of Master F. J (1573).; the first English prose comedy, The Supposes (1566), and in Jocasta (1566)--a translation from the Italian version of a Latin translation of Euripides' Phoenician Women--the first English adaptation of a Greek tragedy; the first English critical commentary, Certayne Notes of Instruction Concerning the Making of Verse or Ryme in English (1575); and the first blank verse English satire, The Steele Glass (1576). Born of a good family, Gascoigne sought his fortune at Elizabeth's court, but financial difficulties forced him to join the Dutch wars and later to seek preferment through writing. He was employed by Elizabeth's secretary of state as an agent in Holland in 1576.

Works

• comedy

  • The Supposes

• novella

  • The Adventures of Master

  • The Steele Glass

• tragedy

  • Jocasta