John Gay

John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera (1728), a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peachum, became household names.

Read more about John Gay:  Early Life, Early Career, Patrons, The Beggar's Opera, Later Career, Partial List of Works

Famous quotes containing the words john and/or gay:

    Well, I know you haven’t had much experience writing and none at all in pictures. But I’ve heard about you. It all sounded like you’re just the man I wanted for a story about the Navy. I don’t want a story just about ships and planes. I want a story about the officers.... I want this story from a pen dipped in salt water not dry martinis. Do you know what I mean?
    Frank Fenton, William Wister Haines, co-scenarist, and John Ford. John Dodge (Ward Bond)

    O Polly, you might have toyed and kissed,
    By keeping men off, you keep them on.
    —John Gay (1685–1732)