Dowland, John

(1563-1626)

   It is unknown whether this composer, virtuoso lutenist, and skilled singer-one of the most famous musicians of his time, with a music degree from Oxford University in 1588-was English or Irish. He is known to have gone to Paris in 1580 in the service of Sir Henry Cobham, the ambassador to the French court. Disappointed that his Catholic faith excluded him from the post of court lutenist in 1594, he traveled on the Continent, visiting German and Italian courts where he was warmly received. He composed around 90 works for solo lute, many in dance form. His songs are harmonized tunes, not madrigals. His main publications: First Booke of Songes, 1597. Second Booke of Songs, 1600. Third and Last Booke of Songs, 1603. Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares, 1604. Varietie of Lute-lessons, 1610. In Darkness Let Me Dwell, 1610. From Silent Night, 1612. Lasso vita mia, 1612. A Pilgrimes Solace, 1612. Some of his poems: "Awake Sweet Loue Thou Art Returnd," "Away with These Selfe Louing Lads," "Come Away, Come Sweet Loue," "Wilt Thou Vnkind Thus Reaue Me of My Harte."

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite DVD, 2006. English Poetry: Author Search. Chadwyck-Healey Ltd., 1995 (http://www.lib.utexas.edu:8080/search/epoetry/author.html). The Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry. 11th ed. The Columbia Granger's World of Poetry, Columbia University Press, 2005 (http://www.columbiagrangers.org). The New Oxford Book of Sixteenth Century Verse. Emrys Jones, ed. Oxford University Press, 1991. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. 6th edition. Margaret Drabble, ed. Oxford University Press, 2000.