John Webster - Anything for a Quiet Life: "For the subtlest folly proceeds from the subtlest wisdom"

The life of John Webster, a prominent Jacobean playwright, is marked by his two renowned tragedies, The Duchess of Malfi and The White Devil, yet much about his early years remains obscure. Born in London around 1578, he was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and began his career in 1602, collaborating on various plays. His marriage in 1606 and subsequent family life are documented, but his legacy primarily rests on his unique, dark tragedies, which often drew from Italian sources. Webster's later works included collaborations and adaptations, reflecting his versatility until his death around 1634.