Nothing is known of the origins and early life of the playwright William Haughton (fl. 1594-1605). Records seemingly do not survive for his birth, parentage, or schooling; he was not matriculated to a university. However, a considerable interest in and knowledge of London and its citizens, as demonstrated by the subject matter of his extant plays and play titles, strongly indicates that Haughton was either a native of London or moved there at an early age.
Surviving records of Haughton’s adult life provide glimpses into his non-literary activities. On 22 March 1594 Haughton married Alice (née Agar) at Saint Mary Abchurch, London. Together they had more than one child, although the precise number of children is …
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