Samuel Boyce (died 1775) was an English engraver and

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral or writte ...

Frontispiece to Poems on Several Occcaisions by Samuel Boyce

Life

Boyce was originally an engraver, and subsequently worked in the South Sea House. He published one play, entitled ''The Rover, or Happiness at Last, a dramatic pastoral'' (1752), which was never performed. In its preface, he claimed that this was due to its length, and not to its lack of merit. In 1757, he published ''Poems on Several Occasions'', which included an ode entitled ''Glory'', addressed to the Duke of Cumberland, and a heroic poem in two cantos, dedicated to

David Garrick David Garrick (19 February 1717 – 20 January 1779) was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of European theatrical practice throughout the 18th century, and was a pupil and friend of Sa ...

, called ''Paris, or the Force of Beauty''. The frontispiece, engraved by Boyce himself, was an allegorical scene depicting "Fortune obstructing the Genius of Poetry in its ascent to the Temples of Learning and Fame". He was a friend of

Christopher Smart Christopher Smart (11 April 1722 – 20 May 1771) was an English poet. He was a major contributor to two popular magazines, ''The Midwife'' and ''The Student'', and a friend to influential cultural icons like Samuel Johnson and Henry Fie ...

, and published a poem in praise of Smart's ''Song to David'' in the ''Public Advertiser'' in July 1763. He died 21 March 1775.

Works

* ''The Rover, or Happiness at Last, a dramatic pastoral'' (1752) * ''An Ode to the Right Hon. the marquis of Harrington, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland'' (1755) * ''Paris, or the force of Beauty; a poem in two cantos'' (1755) * ''Poems on several Occasions'' (London 1757) * ''New Song on the Arrival of the Cherokee King and His Chiefs'' The poem was probably written in to mark a visit arranged by

Henry Timberlake Henry Timberlake (1730 or 1735 – September 30, 1765) was a colonial Anglo-American officer, journalist, and cartographer. He was born in the Colony of Virginia and died in England. He is best known for his work as an emissary from the British ...

in 1764.Quoted in

Notes

References

''Biographical dictionary'', Volume I
Thompson Cooper, p. 272, (London 1890). Year of birth missing 1775 deaths English dramatists and playwrights 18th-century English writers 18th-century English male writers 18th-century English poets English engravers English male dramatists and playwrights English male poets {{England-writer-stub