Wealthy literary hostess, critic, patron of the literary arts, and head of the Bluestocking Circle of women intellectuals, Montagu presided for many years over salon-style parties famed for their intellectual vivacity. A landmark in literary criticism by women, her Essay on the Writing and Genius of Shakespeare (1769) refuted Voltaire's critique of the poet. As a literary patron, she was especially generous to Elizabeth Carter, on whom she bestowed an annuity.

Illegitimate son of Charles II, he was executed for his role in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, which attempted to overthrow James II.

The orphan character in Otway's The Orphan. She dies tragically, poisoning herself out of guilt over the consequences of romantic entanglements that constitute the play's plot.

Pseudonym of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. An actor and director as well, Molière is probably the best known playwright in the history of French drama.

The Roman personification of wisdom, Minerva is goddess of strategic warfare and arts and crafts such as spinning and weaving. She was born of Jupiter and Juno, springing from the forehead of Jupiter fully armed. She is often equated with the Greek goddess Athena.

By the late eighteenth century Milton was regarded as one of Britain's most important literary figures, second only to Shakespeare. His most influential poetic works included his masque Comus (1637), "Lycidas" (1638), "L'Allegro" (1745) and "Il Penseroso" (1745), Paradise Lost (1667), Paradise Regained (1671), and Samson Agonistes (1671). In addition, his sonnets offered inspiration to the Romantic period sonnet revival. Among his prose works, Areopagitica (1644), originally written as a speech, defends freedom of the press.

Founder of the Peckham Academy and author of A Practical Grammar of the Greek Tongue (1740). Milner also worked as a doctor of chemistry at the Peckham Academy where he instructed Oliver Goldsmith.

The eighteenth century's most noted horticulturist, Miller was the author of several important works on gardening, the most notable of which were The Gardeners Kalendar (1731) and The Gardener's Dictionary (1732), both of which were updated for numerous additional editions.

Joseph Miller was a London comic actor whose humor inspired the compilation Joe Miller's Jests: or, the Wit's Vade-Mecum. Being a collection of the most brilliant jests, the politest repartees, the most elegant bons mots, and the most pleasant short stories in the English Language. First carefully collected in the company, and many of them transcribed from the mouth, of the facetious gentleman whose name they bear, and now set forth and published by his lamentable friend and former companion, Elijah Jenkins, Esq. .

James Miller was an English minister, playwright, and poet. He followed his father and became a preacher for the church, but continued writing poems and plays to supplement his income. Miller’s last work was Mahomet, the Imposter (1744), translated from Voltaire. His most-known poem is a satire titled Harlequin Horace.