L'Estrange, Sir Roger

L'Estrange, Sir Roger

▪ English journalist
born December 17, 1616, Hunstanton, Norfolk, England
died December 11, 1704, London
 one of the earliest of English journalists and pamphleteers, an ardent supporter of the Royalist cause during the English Civil Wars and Commonwealth period (1649–60), who was eventually rewarded for his loyalty by being appointed surveyor of the imprimery. In this position he had the power to license and control the press, and he energetically weeded out unlicensed printers who issued antigovernment propaganda.

      L'Estrange was deeply implicated in an unsuccessful attempt to recapture the town of Lynn, Norfolk, from anti-Royalist forces in 1644, and he was imprisoned for four years. He later withdrew to the Netherlands. Just before the restoration of the monarchy he attacked the poet John Milton, a leading apologist for the Commonwealth, in a pamphlet called No Blinde Guides (1660), a reference to Milton's blindness. Appointed surveyor in 1663, he also published three news sheets: the Intelligencer and the News (both 1663–66) and the Observator (1681–87), as well as numerous pamphlets in support of the government. He was knighted in 1685 after helping to discredit the Popish Plot, a fictitious story alleging that the Jesuits were planning to assassinate King Charles II.

      The Glorious Revolution (1688–89), in which King James II lost the throne, cost L'Estrange his official post. Accomplished in languages, he afterward supported his wife and himself chiefly by translations of many standard authors, including the lively Fables of Aesop, and other Eminent Mythologists: with Morals and Reflexions (1692).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • L'ESTRANGE, SIR ROGER —    a zealous Royalist, born in Norfolk; was for his zeal in the royal cause committed to prison; having escaped, he was allowed to live in retirement under Cromwell, but woke up a vigorous pamphleteer and journalist in the old interest at the… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • L'Estrange, Sir Roger — (1616 1704)    Journalist and pamphleteer, youngest s. of a Norfolk baronet, was probably at Camb., and in 1638 took arms for the King. Six years later he was captured, imprisoned in Newgate, and condemned to death. He, however, escaped,… …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

  • Roger L'Estrange — Sir Roger L Estrange (17 December 1616 ndash; 11 December 1704) was an English pamphleteer and author, and staunch defender of royalist claims. In 1644 he led a conspiracy in support of King Charles I and was sentenced to death as a spy, although …   Wikipedia

  • L'Estrange — biographical name Sir Roger 1616 1704 English journalist & translator …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Muddiman, Henry — ▪ English journalist baptized Feb. 5, 1629, St. Martin s in the Fields, London, Eng. died March 7, 1692, Coldhern, near Earl s Court, London       English journalist who supported the Royalist cause during the Civil Wars and became a privileged… …   Universalium

  • Baronet — For the brush footed butterfly species, see Euthalia nais. Royal and noble ranks Emperor Empress King Queen …   Wikipedia

  • Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency) — Norfolk Former County constituency for the House of Commons 1290 (1290)–1832 (1832) …   Wikipedia

  • High Sheriff of Staffordshire — This is a list of the High Sheriffs of Staffordshire.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Oxford period poetry anthologies — These are Oxford poetry anthologies of English poetry, which select from a given period. See also The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse. Contents 1 New Oxford Book of Seventeenth Century Verse (1991) 2 New Oxford Book of Eighteenth… …   Wikipedia

  • The Dog in the Manger — The story and metaphor of The Dog in the Manger derives from an old Greek fable which has been transmitted in several different versions. Interpreted variously over the centuries, it is used now of those who spitefully prevent others from having… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”