Jasper Heywood (1535–1598) was a poet, translator of Senecan tragedy, and Jesuit missionary. He was born in 1535 into a notable Catholic and literary family. His grandfather was John Rastell (c. 1475–1536), the printer; his great uncle (the brother of Rastell’s wife, Elizabeth) was Thomas More (1478–1535), the Lord Chancellor and Catholic martyr; and his father was John Heywood (1496/7– d. 1578 or after), the author of courtly interludes and epigrams. Jasper’s brother, Ellis (1529–1578), a fervent Catholic, published

Il Moro

, in praise of their great uncle Thomas, in Florence in 1556. His youngest sister, Elizabeth (c. 1543–1631), was the mother of the poet and Church of England clergyman John Donne (1572–1631).

Little is known of Heywood’s early education. His father

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Citation: Winston, Jessica. "Jasper Heywood". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 July 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13037, accessed 19 March 2024.]

13037 Jasper Heywood 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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