John Webster

Other than the fact that he was born and raised in London, very little is known of John Webster’s life. His father was a carriagemaker and his mother was a blacksmith’s daughter; Webster himself probably made carriages, though records show that he also dabbled both in acting and in legal studies. In 1605, Webster married the 17-year-old Sara Peniall (who was seven months pregnant at the time), and they had several children together. In addition to The White Devil, Webster wrote a host of poems and seven other plays, the most famous of which is the 1613 tragedy The Duchess of Malfi (which, like The White Devil, is set in Italy). Webster also frequently collaborated with other playwrights of the era, writing a few different history and comedy plays, though many of these were never produced. The White Devil was booed upon its 1612 premiere, but fortunately for Webster, his reputation was redeemed a year later when The Duchess of Malfi proved to be a huge hit.