Thomas Jordan (poet)

Thomas Jordan (c. 1612–1685) was an English poet, playwright and actor, born possibly in London or Eynsham in Oxfordshire about 1612 or 1614.

His second comedy, "Youths Figaries", was written for the troupe that year and was "publikely Acted 19. days together, with extraordinary Applause" (published in 1657 as The Walks of Islington and Hogsdon, a title which refers to the many taverns frequented in the course of the play).

According to Thomas Seccombe's Dictionary of National Biography article, these were remarkable for their brazen plagiarisms: "His plan seems to have been to print a book with the dedication in blank, and to fill in the name afterwards by means of a small press worked by himself".

[1] When the theatres were reopened at the Restoration in 1660, Jordan again focused his energies on the drama, writing two plays and a masque[3] as well as numerous drolls, afterpieces, prologues and epilogues, and also doing some acting.

[2] Jordan started writing civic verse in the late 1650s, including an eclogue in four parts for the Lord Mayor, Sir Thomas Allen, and a jig, "The Cheaters Cheated", for the sheriffs of London.

[4] Jordan conducted the annual civic ceremonies very successfully for fourteen years, adapting each to the changing political situation.

[1] His civic entertainments were according to S. J. Owen characterised by "moderation and peace, coupled with Protestantism, patriotism, the promotion of trade, and a socially inclusive vision in which the city and its government have an important role in the nation".