Eleonora: A panegyrical poem: dedicated to the memory of the late Countess of Abingdon. Written by Mr. Dryden by Dryden, John

1631-1700 Quarto, 8 x 6 in. First edition. ≈4, A-C4. Modern three-quarter calf binding with marbled boards. Minimal uniform darkening to leaves has occured throughout. There is a short list of Dryden's works in an 18th century hand on a rear free endpaper. John Dryden, man of letters, was a prolific playwright, poet, translator and writer. The solid position of John Dryden in the history of English literature as "the major literary figure of his time" is evident in almost all of his many works. As Stapleton states, "Dryden was one of the most skillful and accomplished artists in English Letters, a professional in the modern sense of the word." Perhaps Dryden's contribution to Restoration Comedy is greatest. His efforts as a playwright met with outstanding success, and he wrote more than a dozen comedies. "As his dramatic energy slackened, Dryden labored the more industriously in other directions. His poem 'Eleonora' (1692), written in memory of the Countess of Abingdon, was probably written to order and paid for by the widower, as the poet had been unknown to both earl and countess." (DNB)