(Thomas) an eminent tragic poet, was the son of Mr Humphry Otway, rector of Wolbeding in Sussex; and was born at Trotton in that county, on the 3d of March 1651. He was educated at Oxford; when, leaving the university without a degree, he retired to London, where he commenced player, but with indifferent success. However, the sprightliness of his conversation gained him the favour of Charles Fitz-Charles earl of Plymouth, who procured him a cornet's commission in one of the newly-raised regiments sent into Flanders; but he returned from thence in very necessitous circumstances, and applied himself again to writing for the stage. In comedy he has been deemed too licentious; which, however, was no great objection to his pieces in the profligate days of Charles II. But, in tragedy, few English poets have ever equalled him; and perhaps none ever excelled him in touching the passions, particularly the tender passion. There is generally something familiar and domestic in the fable of his tragedies, and there is amazing energy in his expression.—The heart that doth not melt at the distresses of his Orphan must be hard indeed! But though Otway possessed in so eminent a degree the rare talent of writing to the heart, yet he was not very favourably regarded by some of his contemporary poets, nor was he always successful in his dramatic compositions. After experiencing many reverses of fortune in regard to his circumstances, but generally changing for the worse, he at last died wretchedly in a public house on Tower-hill; whither, it is supposed, he had retired in order to avoid the pressure of his creditors. Some have said, that downright hunger compelling him to fall too eagerly on a piece of bread, of which he had been for some time in want, the first mouthful choked him, and instantly put an end to his days.—His dramatic writings are nine in number; the most admired of which are, The Orphan, and Venice Preserved. He had also made some translations, and wrote several miscellaneous poems. His whole works are printed in two pocket-volumes.