biography
| name: |
Temple, Sir William
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1628–99)
|
| biography:
| Diplomat and essayist, born in London, UK. He studied at Cambridge, became a diplomat in 1655, was made ambassador at The Hague, and negotiated the Triple Alliance (1668) against France. He was made a baronet, and in 1677 helped to bring about the marriage of the Prince of Orange to the Princess Mary, daughter of James, Duke of York (later James II). After the 1688 revolution he declined a political post to devote himself to literature, living in retirement at Moor Park, Surrey. His essay style was a major influence on 18th-c writers, including Swift, who was his secretary. |
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