Cary, Elizabeth (1586–1639)

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Cary, Elizabeth (1586–1639)

British poet, dramatist and translator. Name variations: Lady Falkland; Viscountess Falkland. Born Elizabeth Tanfield in 1586 in Oxfordshire, England; died Oct 1639 in London, England; dau. of Lawrence Tanfield and Elizabeth (Symondes) Tanfield; m. Sir Henry Cary, Viscount Falkland, 1602; children: 11, including Elizabeth Cary (b. 1617), Mary Cary (c. 1621–1693), and Anne Cary (1615–1671, writer) and Lucy Cary (1619–1650, biographer).

Prominent woman writer and translator of Renaissance, who was known both for her literary works and conversion to Roman Catholicism (1626); after conversion, husband sought separation and custody of children; spent remainder of life in London in poverty; translations include The Mirror of the World (1598–1602) and The Reply to the King of Great Britain (1630); poetry includes Verse Lives of Mary Magdalen, St. Agnes, St. Elizabeth of Portugal (c. 1630).

See also The Lady Falkland: Her Life.