Ben Jonson (1572-1637) war neben und nach Shakespeare die beherrschende Figur der Londoner Literatur- und Theaterszene. In der Mermaid Tavern unweit St. Paul's traf man sich zum geselligen Gelage. Was Jonson bei solchen Tisch- und Trinkgesprächen zum Besten gab, hat der schottische Dichter William Drummond im O-Ton überliefert - in den Aufzeichnungen der Conversations mit dem berühmten Besucher aus London auf seinem Landsitz bei Edinburgh.Neben oft skandalösen Anekdoten aus der Hofgesellschaft und freimütig gewährten Einblicken in die wechselvolle Biographie Jonsons stehen Schauspiel...

Ben Jonson came of the stock that was centuries after to give to the world Thomas Carlyle; for Jonson's grandfather was of Annandale, over the Solway, whence he migrated to England. Jonson's father lost his estate under Queen Mary, "having been cast into prison and forfeited." He entered the church, but died a month before his illustrious son was born, leaving his widow and child in poverty.Jonson's birthplace was Westminster, and the time of his birth early in 1573. He was thus nearly ten years Shakespeare's junior, and less well off, if a trifle better born. But Jonson did not profit even...