English poet and dramatist, friend of Pope and Swift . The play was highly successful and enabled Gay to spent more money on gambling and drinking.
Age is naught but sorrow.
John Gay was born at Barnstaple in Devon, as the youngest son of William Gay. He lost his parents in the early age and was brought up by his uncle, the Reverend John Hammer. Gay was educated at Barnstable Grammar School and started as an apprentice to a silk merchant in London. Gay disliked the work, but a as a genial person, Gay soon found his way to the literary and social circles. In 1712-14 he worked as a steward in the household of the Duchess of Monmouth.