Whitehead, William, 1715-1785

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William Whitehead was born in Cambridge, England, in February 1715. Educated at Winchester College and at Cambridge, Whitehead served for many years as tutor to the sons of the Earl of Jersey and Earl Harcourt. In 1757, Whitehead was named Poet Laureate. Whitehead died in London on April 14, 1785.

From the description of William Whitehead poem addressed to Robert Lowth, circa 1758. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122386021

William Whitehead was a poet and playwright who rose from humble origins to become poet laureate. Born in Cambridge, the son of a baker, he was educated at Winchester College and Cambridge, receiving financial aid in both cases. He took a position as tutor to the Earl of Jersey's son, and remained part of the household for nearly his entire life, which allowed him ample time for literary pursuits; he found success as both a poet and a playwright, becoming close friends with actor David Garrick. His pleasant character and popularity with the nobility helped him to become poet laureate, and he brought a sense of dignified patriotism to the office.

From the description of William Whitehead poem, circa 1743. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 76756410

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Whitehead, William, 1715-1785. William Whitehead poem addressed to Robert Lowth, circa 1758. Flugschriften des Fruhen 16 Jahrhunderts
creatorOf Carter, Elizabeth, 1717-1806. Poems on several occasions. / by different hands. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Garrick, David, 1717-1779,. Autograph letter signed from David Garrick to Colman, at Bath [manuscript], 1761 December 17. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Whitehead, William, 1715-1785. William Whitehead poem, circa 1743. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Garrick, David, 1717-1779. Prologue by David Garrick to The school for lovers by William Whitehead [manuscript], 1762. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Whitehead, William, 1715-1785,. Autograph letter signed from William Whitehead, Mount St., to D. Garrick, Esqr., [London] [manuscript], [17]76 January 6. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Early American playbills, 1750-1812. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Whitehead, William, 1715-1785. Inscription on a cold bath : Holograph, signed, [17--]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Commonplace book, circa 1748-1761. Yale University, Lewis Walpole Library
referencedIn Boswell's Life of Johnson : including Boswell's Journal of a tour to the Hebrides and Johnson's Diary of a journey into North Wales, edited by George Birkbeck Hill, extra-illustrated, 1464-1897 (inclusive), 1724-1874 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Carter, Elizabeth, 1717-1806. [Poetical miscellany] University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn History of the Seven Years' War, 1756-1762. Yale University, Lewis Walpole Library
referencedIn Binns, Thomas. A collection of poems vol. III [Commonplace book]; Liverpool, 1793. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Keate, George, 1729-1797. Epilogue by George Keate to A trip to Scotland, [1772]. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Whitehead, William, 1715-1785,. Autograph letter signed from William Whitehead, Middleton Park, to unidentified recipient [manuscript], 1758 September 2. Folger Shakespeare Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Binns, Thomas. person
correspondedWith Boswell, James, 1740-1795 person
associatedWith Broadus, Edmund Kemper, 1876-1936. person
correspondedWith Garrick, David, 1717-1779 person
associatedWith Keate, George, 1729-1797. person
associatedWith Lowth, Robert, 1710-1787. person
associatedWith William, of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, 1324-1404. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Male authors, English
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1715-02

Death 1785-04-17

Britons

English

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