A popular comic playwright, Hannah Cowley is best remembered for A Bold Stroke for a Husband (1783) and The Belle's Stratagem (1780).

Playwright, poet, and satirist, Abraham Cowley employed his pen on the royalist side during the English Civil War.

A character often featured in Joseph Addison's Spectator papers. His name is taken from that of a popular dance.

Coventry's picaresque novel The History of Pompey the Little; or, The Life and Adventures of a Lap-Dog (1751) enjoyed much success. Coventry also authored Penshurst: A Poem (1750).

The Theatre Royal Covent Garden opened in 1732 under the management of John Rich. While Rich was manager, David Garrick spent a season or so performing there before taking over management of the theater at Drury Lane. Rich died in 1761, and by 1767 management devolved onto George Colman the elder and Thomas Harris (died 1820). Harris became sole manager after George Colman the elder's departure in 1774 and remained active until 1809. During that time, the theater saw such acting innovations as Charles Macklin's 1773 performance as Macbeth in Scottish costume.

Her Mathilde (1805) and Elisabeth, ou les exilés de Sibérie (1806) were both popular throughout Europe.

A member of the Medici family, Cosimo I was elected Duke of Florence with the support of Charles V in 1537. Cosimo I brought the whole of Tuscany under his control by 1569 and became known as "Cosimo the Great."

Though his drama Le Cid (1637), inspired by a twelfth century Spanish narrative, provoked a critical controversy over its violation of classical standards, Corneille came to be regarded as one of the greatest French dramatists of his time.

A legendary Roman general who was said to have lived in the 6th and 5th centuries B.C., Coriolanus received his surname for his valor at the siege of Corioli (in 493) in the war against the Volsci. During the 491 famine which plagued Rome, Coriolanus suggested that the government withhold grain until the people consented to the abolition of the Tribune of the Plebs. For this the tribunes demanded his exile, and Coriolanus took refuge with the Volsci, eventually leading their army to battle against the Roman forces.

English actor known for his erratic personal habits and commanding stage presence. Cooke initiated the romantic acting style, drawing on the naturalistic style of David Garrick and Charles Macklin.