A 17th-century physician and poet who wrote epic poems, including "Prince Arthur," which was popular in its time. His works are now mostly forgotten, except by literary historians.
Sir Richard Blackmore was a distinguished English poet and physician, best known for his epic poems that celebrated the Glorious Revolution and the reign of William III. As a respected medical doctor and theologian, Blackmore's life was a testament to his multifaceted talents and passions.
Born on January 22, 1654, in Corsham, Wiltshire, Blackmore was the son of a wealthy attorney. He received his education at Westminster School and later at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1674 and his Master of Arts in 1676.
Upon receiving his inheritance in 1682, Blackmore embarked on a grand tour of Europe, visiting France, Geneva, and Italy, where he graduated in medicine from the University of Padua. He returned to England via Germany and Holland, and established himself as a physician in London.
In 1687, Blackmore was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, thanks in part to his wife's family connections. He was also appointed physician-in-ordinary to King William III, a position he would later hold with Queen Anne. Blackmore's passion for writing epics led to the publication of Prince Arthur, an Heroick Poem in X Books in 1695, a celebration of the Glorious Revolution and the reign of William III.
Prince Arthur was based on Virgil's The Aeneid and Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, and told the story of the Celtic King Arthur opposing the invading Saxons and taking London. While the poem was praised by some, it was also subject to satire and criticism, particularly from Sir Samuel Garth and John Dennis, who derided Blackmore's work as servile and inconsequential.
In 1685, Blackmore married Mary Adams, whose family connections aided his career. However, he faced controversy within the Royal College of Physicians, being censured for taking leave without permission and opposing the project for setting up a free dispensary for the poor in London.
Sir Richard Blackmore's contributions to literature and medicine have left an indelible mark on 17th-century England. While his poetry may have been subject to criticism, his epic poems remain a testament to his passion and skill as a writer. As a respected physician and theologian, Blackmore's legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Today, Sir Richard Blackmore is remembered as a multifaceted figure, whose contributions to literature, medicine, and theology continue to fascinate and inspire scholars and readers alike.
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