- Thomas May
Thomas May (1595 –
November 13 ,1650 ) was apoet andhistorian .May was born in Mayfield, the son of Sir Thomas May. He went to Cambridge, and then to
Gray's Inn , but discarded law for literature.In 1622 he produced his first comedy, "The Heir", and also a translation of
Virgil 's "Georgics ". Six years later, in 1627, appeared his translation of Lucan's "Pharsalia ", which gained him the favour of Charles I at whose command he wrote two poems, "The Reigne of King Henry II", and "The Victorious Reigne of King Edward III", each in 7 books.When the Civil War broke out in 1642, to the disappointment of his friends, he took the side of the Parliament. He was made Secretary to the
Long Parliament , and became its historian. In 1647 he published "The History of the Parliament of England, which began Nov. 3, 1640". This work he prefaced with a short review of the preceding reigns from that of Elizabeth. The narrative closes with the Battle of Newbury, 1643, and is characterised by a fulness of information and candour. May was also the author of several tragedies.External links
* [http://www.mayfamilyhistory.co.uk/odds/sussex/thosmay.html May Family History: Thomas May]
References
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