
Sir Philip Sidney is the first major poet-critic. His biographer, Fulke Greville, portrayed him as a model of correctness, noble bearing and heroism. Sidney was a considerable figure in his day and is still renowned for his three major literary works: The Defence of Poetry (the...

Sir Philip Sydney was born in 1534 and by the time of his death only 32 years later had come to exemplify the ideal courtier. This collection of his writings is the ideal window into the mind and work of this essayist, poet, diplomat, and favorite.