John Wilmot, the notorious Earl of Rochester, was the darling of the profligate court of Charles II. He was one of the finest poets of the Restoration and model for countless witty young rakes in Restoration comedies. This edition of his poetry is annotated and introduced by David M. Vieth.
John Wilmot, the notorious Earl of Rochester, was the darling of the polished, profligate court of Charles II. One of the finest poets of the Restoration, patron to important playwrights, model for countless witty young rakes in Restoration comedies, he lived a full but short life, dying in 1680 (with a dramatic deathbed renunciation of his atheism) at the age of thirty-three. This edition of Rochester's poetry, brilliantly annotated and introduced by David M. Vieth, has been a classic work for decades.