Biographical information on Alexander Pope

21 May, 1688 - 30 May, 1744

Father was a linen merchant, aunt married to a famous miniature painter, family Catholic. No school after 1700, but lots and lots of reading.
Many health issues - Pott's disease (left him a hunchback and 4'6" tall).

account given of Martha Blount (lifelong friend, possible lover) by Valerie Rumbold in her 1989 study "Women's place in Pope's world," which used extensively the manuscripts and papers at the Blount family home of Mapledurham.
and
Maynard Mack's magisterial biography of Pope


Richard G. Williams, Librarian and Archivist, Mapledurham House

From Rape of the Lock:

Canto I

" ‘Know further yet; whoever fair and chaste Rejects mankind, is by some Sylph embraced: For spirits, freed from mortal laws, with ease Assume what sexes and what shapes they please. What guards the purity of melting maids, In courtly balls, and midnight masquerades, Safe from the treacherous friend, the daring spark, The glance by day, the whisper in the dark, When kind occasion prompts their warm desires, When music softens, and when dancing fires? ’Tis but their Sylph, the wise celestials know,Though honour is the word with men below."


Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744 (2013-05-03T01:49:06.313959+00:00). The Rape of the Lock (Kindle Location 148). The University of Adelaide Library. Kindle Edition. 

Canto V

Oh! if to dance all night, and dress all day, Charm’d the small-pox, or chased old-age away; Who would not scorn what housewife’s cares produce, Or who would learn one earthly thing of use? To patch, nay ogle, might become a saint, Nor could it, sure, be such a sin to paint. But since, alas! frail beauty must decay, Curl’d or uncurl’d, since locks will turn to gray; Since painted, or not painted, all shall fade, And she who scorns a man, must die a maid; What then remains, but well our power to use, And keep good-humour still, whate’er we lose? And trust me, dear! good-humour can prevail, When airs, and flights, and screams, and scolding fail. Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.’

Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744 (2013-05-03T01:49:06.313959+00:00). The Rape of the Lock (Kindle Locations 729-732). The University of Adelaide Library. Kindle Edition.

Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744 (2013-05-03T01:49:06.313959+00:00). The Rape of the Lock (Kindle Locations 720-728). The University of Adelaide Library. Kindle Edition.