The first true literary review, the Monthly Review was founded by dissenting bookseller Ralph Griffiths in 1749. Griffiths aimed for comprehensive coverage of the entire range of new publications, aspiring “to register all the new Things in general, without exception to any, on account of their lowness of rank, or price” (The Monthly Review, vol. 1, 1749, p. 238). The leading review for the half century when Griffiths served as editor, the Monthly Review provided summary and extract of all but the most specialized publications.

See Rodríguez de Montalvo.

Though the subject of lampoon in the verse of Alexander Pope, Lady Montagu was respected by many of her contemporaries for her poetry, which she circulated among a coterie that included a number of the period's notable literary figures. She is best remembered today, however, for her letters, particularly the vivid accounts of her travels in Turkey after her husband's appointment as ambassador to Constantinople. In addition, after being introduced to Turkish methods of smallpox inoculation, she worked to introduce the practice in England.

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.