Thomas Middleton (baptised April 1580 – July 1627) was an English playwright and poet of the Jacobean era. Recognized as one of the most prolific and successful dramatists of his time, he stood alongside prominent contemporaries such as Ben Jonson and John Fletcher. Middleton was distinguished by his rare ability to achieve equal acclaim and success in both comedic and tragic forms, a feat matched by few other writers of his generation.
In addition to his major dramatic works for the theatre, Middleton was a highly active creator of civic pageantry, writing numerous masques and pageants. His diverse body of work and literary versatility secured his reputation as a central figure in the vibrant theatrical landscape of early seventeenth-century London.
