Suckling, Sir John (1609-1642), was the most famous member of the Cavalier poets, a group associated with the court of King Charles I of England. In his famous comedy The Way of the World (1700), William Congreve called the poet “natural, easy Suckling.” Suckling was notorious for his wild living and his best verse has a witty and knowing quality.
Suckling’s plays include Aglaura (1637). His short poems were published four years after his death in a collection of his writings titled Fragmenta Aurea. Suckling’s ability as a literary critic can be seen in “A Session of Poets” (1637), a verse review of poetry in his day.
Suckling was born in Middlesex (now part of London) in February 1609 and served in the army. In 1641, he was accused of plotting to gain control of the army for the king. He fled to Paris and died there in May or June 1642, perhaps having poisoned himself.
See also Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?.
