SOURCE: Langbaine, Gerard, and Charles Gildon. “John Crowne.” In The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets, pp. 28-30. London: Printed for Tho. Leigh and William Turner, 1699.

In the following essay, taken from a work begun by Langbaine and “improv'd and continued” by Gildon, the critics briefly characterize Crowne as a better writer of comedies than tragedies, and then survey the sources and early reception of Crowne's plays.

A Gentleman yet living, whose Father having ventured most of his Estate (which was considerable) in a Foreign Plantation, that was afterwards taken by the French, and all King Charles's Reign neglected, he took, by the Encouragement of the late famous Lord Rochester, to Dramatick Writing, and has perform'd very well both in Tragedy and Comedy; tho', with Mr. Langbain, I look on Comedy to be his Talent; he has given us a Proof of his Ability in...