Biographical sketch of Christopher Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe was born in 1564, the year of William Shakespeare's birth.

Marlowe was educated at Cambridge and was involved in difficulties there with the authorities with regard to the granting of his Master of Arts degree in 1587. It seems that Marlowe refused to take holy orders and that he was suspected of "converting" to Roman Catholicism. However, the government authorities intervened in Marlowe's behalf, and the degree was granted. Marlowe, at this time, undoubtedly was active in some form of government service.

From 1587 to 1593 Marlowe wrote and produced his plays. He established himself as a major dramatist with Tamburlaine, Parts I and II, The Jew of Malta, Edward the Second, and Doctor Faustus.

Marlowe's death involved considerable intrigue. He was killed on May 30, 1593 in a tavern brawl which may well have been part of a deliberate plot to assassinate Marlowe.

Marlowe died at the age of twenty-nine, and it is interesting to note that at this time Shakespeare was just beginning his dramatic career. In many particulars Marlowe gave to the English popular theater the foundation upon which Shakespeare was to build.