John Dryden (1631-1700) was an influential English poet, literary critic, and playwright. After the Restoration of the theatres he quickly established himself as the leading poet and literary critic of his day. In 1667 he published Annus Mirabilis, a lengthy historical poem and a modern epic which established him as the preeminent poet of his generation, and was crucial in his attaining the posts of Poet Laureate (1668) and historiographer royal (1670). He led the way in Restoration comedy, with works such as Marriage Ala- Mode (1672), as well as tragedy, in which his greatest success was All for Love (1678). Some of his greatest achievements were in satiric verse, such as the mock-heroic MacFlecknoe (1682). His other works include: Aureng-zebe (1675), Absalom and Achitophel (1681), The Medal (1682) and The Hind and the Panther (1687).