William Popple (1701–1764) was an English official, dramatist and

Governor of Bermuda The Governor of Bermuda (fully the ''Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Somers Isles (alias the Islands of Bermuda)'') is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Bermuda. For the purposes of this a ...

Life

He was the youngest of three sons of William Popple of the parish of

St. Margaret's, Westminster The Church of St Margaret, Westminster Abbey, is in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, London, England. It is dedicated to Margaret of Antioch, and forms part of a single World Heritage Site with the Palace of Westminster ...

, who died in 1722, and his wife Anne; William Popple was his grandfather. He entered the cofferer's office about 1730, and in June 1737 was promoted solicitor and clerk of the reports to the commissioners of trade and plantations. Popple was appointed governor of the Bermudas in March 1745, replacing his brother Alured Popple (1699–1744), and held that post until shortly before his death at Hampstead on 8 February 1764. He was buried on 13 February in

Hampstead Hampstead () is an area in London, which lies northwest of Charing Cross, and extends from Watling Street, the A5 road (Roman Watling Street) to Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland. The area forms the northwest part of the Lon ...

churchyard, where there is an inscribed stone in his memory.

Works

Some of Popple's juvenile poems were included in the ''Collection of Miscellaneous Poems'' issued by Richard Savage in 1726. Aaron Hill encouraged the writing of two comedies, to which Hill wrote prologues: *'' The Lady's Revenge, or the Rover reclaim'd'' (London and Dublin, 1734), was dedicated to

Frederick, Prince of Wales Frederick, Prince of Wales, (Frederick Louis, ; 31 January 170731 March 1751), was the eldest son and heir apparent of King George II of Great Britain. He grew estranged from his parents, King George and Queen Caroline. Frederick was the fath ...

, and was produced on four occasions at Covent Garden in January 1734. *''

The Double Deceit ''The Double Deceit'' is a 1735 comedy play by the British writer William Popple. The original Covent Garden cast included John Hippisley as Sir William Courtlove, Thomas Walker as Young Courtlove, Adam Hallam as Gayliffe, Thomas Chapman as J ...

, or a Cure for Jealousy'' (London, 1736), dedicated to

Edward Walpole Sir Edward Walpole KB PC (Ire) (1706 – 12 January 1784) was a British politician, and a younger son of Sir Robert Walpole, Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742. Early life The second son of Sir Robert Walpole, he was educated at Eton (1718) an ...

, was produced on 25 April 1735, also at Covent Garden. About this same time (1735) Popple collaborated with Hill in his ''Prompter'', and incurred a share of

Alexander Pope Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 O.S. – 30 May 1744) was an English poet, translator, and satirist of the Enlightenment era who is considered one of the most prominent English poets of the early 18th century. An exponent of Augustan literature, ...

's resentment, with a line in the ''

Dunciad ''The Dunciad'' is a landmark, mock-heroic, narrative poem by Alexander Pope published in three different versions at different times from 1728 to 1743. The poem celebrates a goddess Dulness and the progress of her chosen agents as they bring ...

''. He also published, in 1753, a translation (1753) of the '' Ars Poetica'' of Horace, which he dedicated to the

Earl of Halifax Earl of Halifax is a title that has been created four times in British history—once in the Peerage of England, twice in the Peerage of Great Britain, and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The name of the peerage refers to Halifax, We ...

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Popple, William 1701 births 1764 deaths English dramatists and playwrights Governors of Bermuda English male dramatists and playwrights