John Roe
Sir John Roe, born in Essex, England, on May 5, 1581, was a notable figure of the early 17th century known for his connections to prominent poets and his contributions to the literary scene. He was the son of William and Anne Cheney Roe and belonged to a wealthy family, with his grandfather having served as lord mayor of London. After his father's death, Roe gained significant wealth when his mother remarried, leading him to sell the family estate for cash. His early education began at Queen's College, Oxford, and he is believed to have served in Ireland around 1601, eventually earning the title of knight.
Roe was part of an influential group of poets known as "the sons of Ben," which included the renowned Ben Jonson and John Donne. His poetry, which offers a glimpse into the court's life and the era's aesthetic values, has often been confused with that of Donne's due to the inclusion of his works in collections attributed to Donne. His life ended tragically in 1608 when he succumbed to the plague, reportedly in the company of Jonson. Despite his somewhat obscure status, Roe's friendships and literary contributions underscore the cultural dynamics of his time.
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John Roe
Poet
- Born: May 5, 1581
- Birthplace: Probably Essex, England
- Died: 1608
Biography
Although no contemporary records exist to confirm the date, later documents suggest that Sir John Roe was born in Essex, England, on May 5, 1581. Roe was one of nine children born to William Roe and Anne Cheney Roe. The family was both well known and wealthy; Roe’s grandfather, Sir Thomas Roe, was lord mayor of London in 1568. In 1566, his grandfather purchased the estate and manor at Higham Bensted where Roe was born; the property and wealth subsequently passed to Roe’s father, William Roe.
Roe’s father died when he was fifteen, and his mother was granted wardship of her son by the terms of William Roe’s will. In 1597, Roe entered Queen’s College, Oxford University. In his will, William Roe stipulated that if his wife remarried, all of his estates and property would pass directly to his son. When Roe’s mother married Reginald Argell around 1599, young Roe became very wealthy. However, by the time he was twenty-two, he had sold the entire estate to his stepfather, converting his land into cash.
The historical records of Roe’s life are sometimes difficult to follow after his matriculation at Oxford. Some historians have argued that Roe was one of the Irish knights of Robert Devereux, second earl of Essex, and thus attained his knighthood under Essex. However, other documents refute this assertion. Regardless, it appears that Roe did serve in Ireland, probably beginning in 1601, and after 1603 he is referred to as Sir John Roe.
It is known that Roe spent considerable time at the royal court in London and was a friend of poet Ben Jonson, as several of Jonson’s epigrams are dedicated to his friend. Roe was part of a group known as “the sons of Ben,” a brilliant assortment of young poets and wits. The poet John Donne also was a member of this group.
Roe wrote a number of poems while at the English court. In one, he describes an incident in which he and Jonson were “thrust out” of a court performance. Another of Roe’s poems is dedicated to Cecilia Bulstrode, a lady at court. The poem was highly erotic and has led to conjecture that Roe and Bulstrode were lovers.
Other records indicate that Roe was severely wounded in the Netherlands in 1605. In 1608. Roe died of the plague, purportedly in the arms of his good friend Jonson. During the seventeenth century, Roe’s poems regularly were included in collections of Donne’s work and have thus often been attributed to Donne rather than Roe. However, scholars have demonstrated that at least seven poems earlier thought to have been written by Donne were actually written by Roe.
While a somewhat obscure figure, Roe is notable for his friendships with Jonson and Donne. Moreover, his poetry provides insight into both the life of the court and the aesthetic ideals of the times.