Alexander Pope

Guide Note

Alexander Pope is considered one of the great poets of the eighteenth century, famous for his works on An Essay on Criticism, An Essay on Man and his translation of Homer's Iliad.

Alexander Pope was born in London to a Roman Catholic parents, Alexander and Edith Pope. Pope's education was affected in his younger years due to penal laws in force at the time in London, he was taught to read by his aunt. Health issues that plagued Pope like Asthma and headaches were also obstacles that impeded his education. One of the major health issues he suffered from was Pott's Disease, a form of Tuberculosis which stunted his growth. His short stature became a vantage point for critics. Due to his melodious voice, Alexander Pope was also called "The Little Nightingale". When his formal education came to an end, Pope started reading many books from his father's library, his half-sister recalled "He did nothing but write and read."

Pope and his family were later forced to move to a small estate in Binfield, Berkshire, due to the rise in anti-Catholic sentiment during the Protestant Revolution, Pope later describes this house in his poem Windster Frost.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: Alexander Pope
2. Born: May 21, 1688
3. Birthplace: London, England
4. Affected by Tuberculosis all his life
5. Mentioned as A.Pope in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code
6. Died May 30, 1744 at his age of 56

1. "Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be." - Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism
2. "Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies." - - Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man
3. "A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."