Winthrop Mackworth Praed

Praed, Winthrop Mackworth (1802–39), was called to the bar, then went into Parliament. He is remembered principally as a humorous poet and composer of elegant vers de société; ‘The County Ball’, ‘A Letter of Advice’, ‘Stanzas on seeing the Speaker Asleep’, and ‘The Vicar’ are characteristic examples of his light verse. Like Hood, with whom he is often compared, he sometimes uses humour to clothe a grim subject, as in ‘The Red Fisherman’. He also wrote verse epistles, e.g. ‘Sir Nicholas at Marston Moor’. His verse was published largely in periodicals and annuals, but his inoffensive satire, gentle wit, and fluent metrical variations assured him a more lasting readership. His Poems appeared in 1864.

Winthrop Mackworth Praed , 1802-39, English poet and essayist. A Conservative member of Parliament (1830-32, 1834-39) and an accomplished political satirist, he is best remembered for his graceful light verse— "Letter of Advice," "Molly Mog" —and his serious poems, such as "Arminius" and "Time's Song."

Bibliography: See D. Hudson, A Poet in Parliament (1939).