Ben Jonson (1572–1637) was born after the death of his father, a clergyman, and became the stepson of a master bricklayer. He was educated by the great classical scholar William Camden at West-minster School, worked for a short time by his stepfather's side, and then entered the army. He was a brave soldier in hand-to-hand combat at Flanders, where the Dutch and English were fighting the Spaniards. When he returned to England in 1594, he became a playwright and actor.

Jonson was not a mild-mannered man. He was nearly hanged for murder after killing another actor in a duel. Later he was jailed for insulting the Scottish nation. As he grew older, he calmed down considerably, and he became a father figure to London's literary circle. A favorite of the royal court, Jonson was made the first poet laureate in all but name by King James I. His followers became known as the Sons of Ben. Unlike other poets of his time, such as his friend William Shakespeare, Jonson was not meek about publicizing his poetry. Concerned about preserving his works for posterity, he personally oversaw their publication.