SOURCE: Sadler, Lynn. “Carew's Life and ‘School’ of Poetry.” In Thomas Carew, pp. 11-23. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1979.

In the essay below, Sadler offers a biography of Thomas Carew, considers his reputation, and praises him for showing variety and care in his work.

As one can see from the Chronology, facts about the life of Thomas Carew are rare. The would-be biographer is further hampered by the confusion and ambiguities that lace such “facts” as do exist. Was he born in 1594 or 1595? Where was he born? Which of the three contemporaries, Thomas Carew/Carey, is the poet? Was his college Merton or Corpus Christi? Did he die in 1638 or 1639 at age forty-four, in 1640 at age forty-five, in 1645 at age fifty, or when he was much older? Did he die of syphilis? Did he receive the Manor of Sunninghill from King James or King Charles, and was it recalled for...