BEAUMONT, FRANCIS, and FLET CHER, JOHN, two eminent English dramatic writers, contemporaries of Shakespeare, and the most famous of literary partners, so closely associated that their names are rarely heard sep arately. The former, son of a Common Pleas judge, was born at Grace-Dieu, in Leicest..rshire, in 1584. At the age of 16 he published a translation, in verse, of Ovid's fable of "Salmacis and Her maphroditus," and later he became the friend of Ben Jonson. With Fletcher also he was early on terms of friendship. He married Ursula, daughter of Henry Isley, of Sundridge, in Kent, by whom he left two daughters. He died March 6, 1616, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. JOHN FLETCHER was born at Rye, Sussex, in December, 1579. His father was-successively Dean of Peter borough, Bishop of Bristol, Worcester, and London. The "Woman Hater," pro duced in 1606-1607, is the earliest work known to exist in which he had a hand. It does not appear that he was ever mar ried. He died in London in August, 1625, and was buried at St. Saviour's, Southwark. The friendship of Beaumont and Fletcher, like their literary partner ship, was singularly close; they lived in the same house, and are said to have even had their clothes in common. The works that pass under their names con sist of over 50 plays, a masque, and some minor poems. It is believed that all the minor poems except one were written by Beaumont. After the death
of Beaumont, Fletcher continued to write plays alone or with other dramatists. It is now difficult, if not indeed impossible, to determine with certainty the respec tive shares of the two poets in the plays passing under their names. "Four Plays in One," "Wit at Several Weapons," "Thierry and Theodoret," "Maid's Trag edy," "Philaster," "King and No King," "Knight of the Burning Pestle," Cupid's Revenge," "Little French Lawyer," "Scornful Lady," "Coxcomb," and "Laws of Candy" have been assigned to Beau mont and Fletcher conjointly. To Beau mont alone "Thc Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn." To Fletcher alone "The Faithful Shepherdess," "Woman Hater," "Loyal Subject," "Mad Lover," "Valentinian," "Double Mar riage," "Humorous Lieutenant," "Island Princess." "Pilgrims," "Wild Goose Chase," "Spanish Curate," "Beggar's Bush," "Rule a Wife and Have a Wife," "Fair Maid of the Inn." To Fletcher and Rowley "Queen of Corinth," "Maid of the Mill," and "Bloody Brother." To Fletcher and Massinger "False One." and "Very Woman." To Fletcher and Shirley "Noble Gentleman," "Night Walker," and "Love's Pilgrimage." To Fletcher and Shakespeare "Two Noble Kinsmen."