Nahum Tate

Nahum Tate is of Irish descent ( original spelling of the name: Teate ), studied at University College Dublin, where he graduated in 1672. His first collection of poems was published 1677th More publications by him are Brutus of Alba (1678 ), A Duke and no Duke ( 1684), Poems (1684 ) Poems by Several Hands ( 1685), Cuckold 's Haven (1685 ), injur ' d Love (1707 ). In 1692 he was awarded the prestigious title of poet laureate at the English court in recognition of his hitherto written works. He was the successor of John Dryden ( since 1668) and Thomas Shadwell (since 1689).

Tate is the author of the libretto for Henry Purcell's only opera Dido and Aeneas, whose plot roughly corresponds with the action of his play Brutus of Alba.