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The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Richard Brome (d. 1652?)
Brome, Richard. An English dramatist; supposed to have died in 1652. Nothing is known of his birth or early history, save that he was of humble origin. He was the servant of Ben Jonson, and wrote himself into high repute. He is mentioned in the induction to Jonson’s ‘Bartholomew Fair.’ Jonson praised his work, and Brome always refers to Jonson with pride. Jonson was of course his model, men and manners his study. His most successful play appears to have been ‘The Northern Lass’ (1632), frequently acted at the Globe and Blackfriars; ‘The Sparagus Garden’ (1635) was also popular. The best-known dramas, besides these, are: ‘The Antipodes’ (1640); ‘The Jovial Crew’ (1652); ‘The City Wit’ (1653); and ‘The Court Beggar’ (1653). With Thomas Heywood he wrote ‘The Late Lancashire Witches’ (1634). Brome also wrote minor poems. Two volumes of ‘Works’ were published in London, 1653–59; and Brome’s ‘Dramatic Works’ in London, 1873.