Thomas Otway

Thomas Otway (1652-85), English dramatist, born in Trotton, and educated at the University of Oxford. His first play, the tragedy Alcibiades, was produced in 1675, and Don Carlos (1676) established his reputation as a dramatist. Otway's most important works are the tragedies The Orphan (1680) and Venice Preserved (1682). Both plays were immediately successful and were performed regularly for more than 200 years. Otway gave his characters emotional depth and intensity; his intricate plots are skillfully contrived, and his verse is natural and often extremely moving. Although a successful dramatist, he died in poverty.