John Gay

John Gay (June 1685 – December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist. He is best remembered for writing THE BEGGAR’S OPERA. Gay was born in Barnstaple, England, and was educated at the town’s grammar school and subsequently apprenticed to a silk mercer in London from about 1702 to 1706. His first poem “Wine” was published in 1708, and his first play, THE MOHOCKS, was published in 1712 but was never produced. Gay’s first production, a Chaucer adaptation titled THE WIFE OF BATH, was produced in 1713. Gay continued to write both poetry and for the theatre, honing his craft and making a name for himself, until he wrote his masterpiece, THE BEGGAR’S OPERA, in 1728. This famous piece was an innovation in many respects and ran for sixty-two nights. Inspired by the great success of THE BEGGAR’S OPERA, Gay wrote a sequel, POLLY, relating the adventures of Polly Peachum in the West Indies. The play’s production was forbidden by the Lord Chamberlain. This act of “oppression” caused no loss for Gay. It proved an excellent advertisement for POLLY, which was published by subscription in 1729 and brought its author several thousand pounds. Gay continued to write until his death in 1732 but was never able to again reach the artistry or fame that he had with THE BEGGAR’S OPERA.