Gay, John (1685-1732), an English playwright and poet, is best known for The Beggar’s Opera (1728). In the opera, Gay poked fun at Italian opera and satirized politicians by comparing them to criminals. He used English ballads as the music. Polly (1729), a sequel to The Beggar’s Opera, offended the government and was banned from the stage. But it was a success in printed form. Gay also wrote light verse. The Shepherd’s Week (1714) is a comic pastoral poem of great charm. Trivia (1716) paints a vivid picture in verse of London street life.
Gay was born on June 30, 1685, in Barnstaple. He was likeable, friendly, and never serious about life. He held minor public positions and had many friends. He died on Dec. 4, 1732.
