MAY, Thomas, an eminent English poet and historian of the seventeenth century, was descended of an ancient but decayed family in Sussex, and received his education at Cambridge, whence he afterwards removed to London. Whilst he resided at court, he wrote the five plays now extant under his name. In 1622, he published a translation of Virgil's Georgics, with annotations; and in 1635 a poem on Edward III., and a translation of Lucan's Pharsalia, which he continued down to the death of Julius Cæsar, both in Latin and in English verse. Upon the breaking out of the civil wars he adhered to the parliament, and in 1647, published the History of the Parliament of England, which began November the third, 1640, with a short and accessory view of some precedent years. In 1649, he published in three parts, Historia Parliamenti Angliæ Breviarium, which he afterwards translated into English. He also wrote the history of Henry II. in English verse. His death occurred in 1650. Having gone to rest after a cheerful bottle as usual, he died in his sleep before morning. Soon after the Restoration, his body, with those of several others, was dug up, and buried in a pit in St. Margaret's churchyard; and his monument, which was erected by the appointment of parliament, was taken down and thrown aside.