Barnabe Googe
Barnabe Googe was an English poet born in 1540 in Alvingham, Lincolnshire. He began his education at Christ's College, Cambridge, at the young age of fifteen, though it is unclear if he completed his degree. After Cambridge, Googe became associated with William Cecil, the first Baron Burghley, gaining a position as a pensioner in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. His connections played a crucial role in his personal life as well, particularly in his marriage to Mary Darrell, which was opposed by her father. Googe published his first collection of poetry, "Ecologues, Epitaphs, and Sonnets," in 1563, showcasing his strong Protestant beliefs and drawing inspiration from various European poetic traditions. Throughout his career, he translated numerous works, although much of his output is either lost or of uncertain authorship. Googe passed away in 1594, leaving behind a family and a legacy that has been somewhat overshadowed by misattributions, including a famous line incorrectly attributed to him that became widely recognized through political discourse.
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Subject Terms
Barnabe Googe
Poet
- Born: June 11, 1540
- Birthplace: Alvingham, north of Louth, Lincolnshire, England
- Died: 1594
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Barnabe Googe was born in Alvingham, Lincolnshire, England, in 1540, and he enrolled at Christ’s College at Cambridge University at the age of fifteen, although it is not known whether or not he earned a degree there. He followed his time at Cambridge by joining his kinsman William Cecil, the first baron Burghley, in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and worked his way up to a position as her pensioner. His connections proved useful when Sir William Cecil intervened in a matter that allowed Googe to wed Mary Darrell against her father’s wishes; Darrell’s father had hoped for a more-affluent suitor.
In 1563 the first volume of Googe’s poems, Ecologues, Epitaphs, and Sonnets, was published and featured highly religious Protestant themes, since Googe was part of the Anglican Church. A well-traveled man, Googe borrowed heavily from Spanish, German, and early Latin poems and blended aspects of them together into his own pastoral and poetic style. He translated several works throughout his career, but a great deal of his work has been lost or is of questionable authenticity. Googe died in 1594, leaving behind several children from his rocky marriage. In modern times, Googe has been credited with the line “I did but see her passing by, and yet I love her till I die,” which he did not write. The line became popular when the Australian Prime Minister used it in the company of Queen Elizabeth II.