Значение слова MIDDLETON в Литературной энциклопедии

MIDDLETON

1) CONYERS (1683-1750).-Divine and scholar, _b._ at Richmond, Yorkshire, and _ed._ at Camb. He was the author of several latitudinarian treatises on miracles, etc., which brought him into controversy with Waterland (_q.v._) and others, and of a _Life of Cicero_ (1741), largely plagiarised from William Bellenden, a Scottish writer of the 17th century. Another of his controversies was with Bentley on college administration. He was master of a very fine literary style. 2) MIDDLETON, THOMAS (1570-1627).-Dramatist, was a Londoner and city chronologer, in which capacity he composed a chronicle of the city, now lost. He wrote over 20 plays, chiefly comedies, besides masques and pageants, and collaborated with Dekker, Webster, and other playwrights. His best plays are _The Changeling_, _The Spanish Gipsy_ (both with Rowley), and _Women beware Women_. Another, _The Game of Chess_ (1624), got the author and the players alike into trouble on account of its having brought the King of Spain and other public characters upon the stage. They, however, got off with a severe reprimand. M. was a keen observer of London life, and shone most in scenes of strong passion. He is, however, unequal and repeats himself. Other plays are: _The Phoenix_, _Michaelmas Term_ (1607), _A Trick to Catch the old One_ (1608), _The Familie of Love_ (1608), _A Mad World, My Masters_ (1608), _The Roaring Girl_ (1611) (with Dekker), _The Old Law_ (1656) (with Massinger and Rowley), _A Faire Quarrel_ (1617); and among his pageants and masques are _The Triumphs of Truth_ (1613), _The Triumphs of Honour and Industry_ (1617), _The Inner Temple Masque_ (1619), etc.

Литературная энциклопедия.