John Fletcher was a British dramatist. He was born in 1579 at Rye, Sussex and died in 1625. His father was successively dean of Peterborough, bishop of Bristol, Worcester, and London. The Woman Hater, produced in 1606-1607, is the earliest work known to exist in which he had a hand. It does not appear that he was ever married. He died in London of the plague, in August, 1625, and was buried at St Saviour's, Southwark. The friendship of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, like their literary partnership, was singularly close; they lived in the same house, and are said to have even had their clothes in common. The works that pass under their names consist of over fifty plays, a masque, and some minor poems. It is believed that all the minor poems except one were written by Francis Beaumont. After the death of Francis Beaumont John Fletcher continued to write plays alone or with other dramatists. It is now difficult, if not indeed impossible, to determine with certainty the respective shares of the two poets in the plays passing under their names.
According to the testimony of some of their contemporaries Francis Beaumont possessed the deeper and more thoughtful genius, John Fletcher the gayer and more idyllic. Four Plays in One, Wit at Several Weapons, Thierry and Theodoret, Maid's Tragedy, Philaster, King and No King, Knight of the Burning pestle, Cupid's Revenge, Little French Lawyer, Scornful Lady, Coxcomb, and Laws of Candy have been assigned to Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher conjointly. To Francis Beaumont alone - The Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. To John Fletcher alone - The Faithful Shepherdess, Woman-hater, Loyal Subject, Mad Lover, Valentinian, Double Marriage, Humorous Lieutenant, Island Princess, Pilgrims, Wild-goose Chase, Spanish Curate, Beggar's Bush, Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, Fair Maid of the Inn, etc. To John Fletcher and Rowley - Queen of Corinth, Maid of the Mill, and Bloody Brother. To John Fletcher and Massinger - False One, and Very Woman. To John Fletcher and Shirley - Noble Gentleman, Night-walker, and Love's Pilgrimage. To John Fletcher and William Shakespeare - Two Noble Kinsmen. Research John Fletcher
Molly Mog (the Fair Maid of the Inn) was an English beauty. She was born in about 1699 at Oakingham, Berkshire and died in 1766. the daughter of an inn keeper, she was renowned for her beauty and had a ballad written about her. Research Molly Mog
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