Jonson, Ben: - Benjamin "Ben" Jonson, an English playwright and poet, was born on June 11, 1572, and died on August 16, 1637. The aesthetic prowess of Jonson has had a lingering influence on English theatrical comedy and poetry. He is well renowned for his lyric and epigrammatic poetry, as well as the satirical plays Every Man in His Humor (1598), Volpone, or The Fox (about 1606), The Alchemist (1610), and Bartholomew Fair. He also popularized the comedy of humor (1614). He is frequently regarded as William Shakespeare's rival for the title of most influential English dramatist under James I. Jonson was a man of the English Renaissance, classically educated, well-read, and polished, with a penchant for debate (personal, political, artistic, and intellectual). He had an unparalleled cultural impact on poets and playwrights during the Jacobean and Caroline centuries (1603-1625). (1625-1642). His ancestors spelled out the family name with the letter "t" (Johnstone or Johnston). The spelling was altered to "Jonson" even though the author preferred it to the more common "Johnson." By the summer of 1597, Jonson had a commitment with the Admiral's Men, who were presently appearing at The Rose under the direction of Philip Henslowe.