Pye, Henry James (1745-1813), was an English poet, translator, and playwright. He was poet laureate of Britain, now called the United Kingdom, from 1790 to 1813. His work was not popular during his lifetime and has not been widely available in print since the early 1800’s.
Pye was appointed poet laureate during the reign of King George III. Critics believed that Pye’s succession to the title was due to his political support for the prime minister, William Pitt the Younger, while Pye was a member of Parliament. Pye’s poetry was not well regarded in contemporary literary circles. Robert Southey, poet laureate after Pye’s death in 1813, wrote in 1814: “I have been rhyming as doggedly and dully as if my name had been Henry James Pye.”
Amongst Pye’s poetical works are many patriotic birthday odes to King George III; Naucratia: or Naval Dominion (1798); and his epic poem Alfred (1801). Pye also wrote for the theater. His historical tragedy The Siege of Meaux was performed at Covent Garden in 1794. In 1800, his play Adelaide was staged at Drury Lane Theatre, with the heroine played by the well-known tragic actress Sarah Siddons. Pye’s translations into English include works by the ancient Greek writers Aristotle and Pindar. Pye also wrote critical essays on literature, including a commentary on William Shakespeare’s plays.
Henry James Pye was born in London on Feb. 20, 1745. Pye was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he received the degree of Doctor of Civil Law in 1772. He became a county magistrate and in 1784 was elected member of Parliament for Berkshire and served until 1790. In 1792, he was appointed a police magistrate for Westminster. He died on Aug. 11, 1813.
