# John Webster

## Biography

John Webster was a prominent English Jacobean dramatist, active during the early 17th century, roughly contemporary with William Shakespeare. Born around 1580 in London to a coachmaker, he is believed to have studied law at the Middle Temple, which may account for the legal interests evident in his works. While details of his life remain somewhat obscure, he is celebrated for his profound and often dark tragedies, primarily "The White Devil" and "The Duchess of Malfi," both considered masterpieces of the era. Webster frequently collaborated with other playwrights of his time, including Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton, on various comedies and lost plays. His unique style is characterized by intricate plots, complex characters, and a stark, often macabre vision of human nature. Though his plays were not always widely popular during his lifetime, they are now frequently staged and studied for their powerful exploration of ambition, corruption, and suffering, cementing his status as a significant figure in English dramatic literature. He is thought to have died around 1632.

## Books

- [The Duchess of Malfi](https://samolit.com/books/96206)