an English poet and playwright who was appointed poet laureate in 1689. In 1668 he produced a prose comedy, The Sullen Lovers, or the Impertinents, based on Les Fâcheux by Moliere, and written in open imitation of Ben Jonson's comedy of humours. For fourteen years from the production of his first comedy to his memorable encounter with John Dryden, Shadwell produced a play nearly every year.
