The Shakespeare Code

Image: 0070772597, License: Rights managed, Restrictions: ::::::::::::::, Ben Jonson was born in 1572 making him a close contemporary of William Shakespeare. He was educated at Westminster School where he obtained a strong grounding in classics. He started life as a bricklayer but tired soon of this profession and became a soldier for some years. He then turned to the stage where he found his vocation and established a reputation as a dramatist, actor and poet. He was always a controversial figure and went to prison twice, once for the ill-judged publication of a satire which was considered seditious and for the second time for killing a fellow actor in a duel. His best known works are Volpone, The Alchemist and Bartholomew Fair and his masques for the royal court brought him fame and a good income, He died in 1637 and is buried in Westminster Abbey., Model Release: No or not aplicable, Credit line: Profimedia.com, Alamy