The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume II.

This volume stands as a fascinating time capsule of mid-18th century literary history, offering intimate portraits of poets both celebrated and obscure. Theophilus Cibber, himself a notable figure in the theatrical world of Georgian England, assembled what became one of the earliest comprehensive attempts to document the lives of British and Irish poets. The biographical accounts blend critical assessment with juicy anecdote, revealing not just literary achievements but the messy human realities behind the verse. Cibber traces each poet's career, their connections to political and literary figures, and their stylistic contributions. The text particularly excels at illuminating overlooked figures like Anthony Brewer and Thomas May, whose work might otherwise have vanished from literary memory. Particularly striking is the attention given to how poets navigated the seismic political upheavals of their era, the documentation of Oliver Cromwell's theatrical activities provides a remarkable window into that tumultuous period. For anyone researching Restoration and Augustan literature, this work remains an invaluable primary source, preserving details about literary culture that would otherwise be lost.