Birth date: 
1594
Death date: 
1640
Birth town: 
London
Country: 
England

Thomas Carew was the son of a well-connected official and was educated at Merton College, Oxford and the Middle Temple in London. He worked as a diplomatic secretary in Italy, Holland and France, and soon gained a reputation as a poet.

His talent secured him a place at court, and he was privileged to serve at Charles I's table. In 1634 his masque Coelum Britannicum was performed before the King. His poems, like those of other gentlemen of the era, were not published in his own lifetime but hand-written copies were circulated among his friends. These included Ben Jonson and John Donne, who both exercised a strong influence on Carew's poetry; in his Elegy Carew proclaims Donne 'the universal monarchy of wit'. Another poet he admired greatly was the Italian Giambattista Marino, whose wit and extravagant lifestyle resembled Carew's own.

Though he never achieved the stature of Donne or Johnson, Carew was an elegant writer whose contribution to literature was typical of the stylish Cavalier school. A collected edition of his poems appeared shortly after his death.

Poems by this Poet

Displaying 71 - 80 of 127
Poem Post datesort ascending Rating Comments
The Complement 29 November 2013
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Elegy upon the Death of the Dean of Paul's, Dr. John Donne, An 29 November 2013
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Good Counsel to a Young Maid 29 November 2013
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To My Much Honoured Friend, Henry, Lord Carey of Leppington, Upon His Translation of Malvezzi 29 November 2013
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On Sight of a Gentlewoman's Face in the Water 29 November 2013
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Mr. Carew to His Friend 29 November 2013
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A Divine Love 29 November 2013
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On Mistress N 29 November 2013
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To My Rival 29 November 2013
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For a Picture Where a Queen Laments over the Tomb of a Slain Knight 29 November 2013
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