Everard Guilpin
Everard Guilpin was an English poet and contemporary of notable literary figures in the late 16th century, born around 1572. He attended Emmanuel College in Cambridge and later Gray's Inn, where he became part of an educated circle of young men eager to establish their reputations. Guilpin was the second cousin of playwright John Marston, with whom he shared a literary connection, often acting as a source of inspiration and feedback for Marston's works. His most recognized contribution to literature is the epigrammatic poem **Skialetheia: Or, A Shadow of Truth in Certain Epigrams and Satyres**, published in 1598. This poem served to bolster Marston's status as a playwright while simultaneously critiquing their rival, Ben Jonson, reflecting the competitive nature of the theatrical scene at the time. Guilpin's work is rich with references to his contemporaries and offers valuable insights into the cultural dynamics of the late 16th century. However, **Skialetheia** was deemed socially disruptive and was subsequently burned by the archbishop of Canterbury in 1599, illustrating the contentious relationship between art and authority during that period.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Everard Guilpin
Author
- Born: c. 1572
- Died: c. 1608
Biography
Everard Guilpin was born around 1572 in England. In 1588, Guilpin attended Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and in 1591 he went to Gray’s Inn of the Inns of Court. He is associated with a group of young men during this time who were well educated, from good families, and eager to prove themselves.
Guilpin was the second cousin of playwright John Marston, who was embroiled in a bitter battle with playwright Ben Jonson. Guilpin was a member of the Inns of Court, and, as such, he was a contemporary of English author John Donne. Guilpin’s literary works are intertwined with those of his cousin, Marston. As such, Guilpin acted as the literary source and sounding board for his cousin.
Guilpin is best known for his epigrammatic poem Skialetheia: Or, A Shadow of Truth in Certain Epigrams and Satyres, which was published in 1598 to further promote his cousin as the new and impressive wit in English theater. In this poem, Guilpin censures and criticizes rival playwright Jonson. Guilpin wonders why Jonson makes faces at the world around him when his own face is so offensive. The book also includes many references to Guilpin’s other contemporaries and is considered to be a wealth of information for scholars interested in the late sixteenth century. Skialetheia was burned by the archbishop of Canterbury in 1599 because the archbishop considered it socially disruptive.