Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English poet best known for his satirical verse and mastery of the heroic couplet. His most famous works include "The Rape of the Lock" (1712), a mock-heroic narrative poem, and "The Dunciad" (1728), a scathing critique of contemporary literary culture. Another significant achievement is his translation of Homer’s "Iliad" (1715-1720) and "Odyssey" (1725-1726), which were highly praised and financially successful. Pope's "An Essay on Criticism" (1709) established his reputation as a formidable literary critic. Born in London, he overcame numerous health issues, including tuberculosis of the spine, which affected his physical stature. Despite these challenges, Pope became one of the leading figures of the Augustan age of English literature.