The most important reform writer of the late eighteenth century. His revolutionary writings made him a hero of the American revolution. His works were plentiful, but he is most remembered for Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America (1776), encouraging American independence from England; The Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution (1791 with a second part issued in 1792); and The Age of Reason (1793), an attack on Christianity that Paine published from France, where he fled on being alerted of his impending arrest for sedition.

William Paget, uncle to author Aaron Hill, was English ambassador to Vienna between 1689 and 1692, at which point he was appointed ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, where he served until 1701.

Important literary patron and effective politician who survived multiple assassination attempt as he rose to the position of Lord Treasurer under Queen Anne, only to be impeached and imprisoned on treason charges under George I.

Roman poet whose Metamorphoses inspired many British writers, especially during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.

Playwright Thomas Otway's dramatic productions include Alcibiades (1675), Don Carlos (1676), Titus and Berenice (1676), The Cheats of Scapin (1676), Friendship in Fashion (1678), Caius Marius (1679), The Orphan (1680), The Souldiers Fortune (1680), Venice Preserved (1682), and The Atheist (1683). Plagued with pecuniary difficulties for much of his short life, he died destitute.

Titular character of William Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, the Moor of Venice. In the play, he is manipulated through jealousy into madness and murders his wife, Desdemona.

Bookseller often associated in business with Samuel Richardson and Charles Rivington, among others.

French artistic and literary dandy who spent much time in England and became the companion of Lady Blessington. He was reputed to display notable generosity, and his extravagance contributed to Blessington's financial ruin.

Orrery published a romance called Partheuissa (1664) as well as a number of dramatic works.

In Greek myth, a singer and lyre-player whose music was so beautiful it could tame wild beasts. When his wife Eurydice was killed by a snake, Orpheus descended to the Underworld to bring her back. After charming Hades with his music, Orpheus was permitted to retrieve his wife on condition that he not look back at her until they had returned to daylight. Just before reaching safety, Orpheus violated this condition, and Eurydice was returned to the Underworld permanently.