1. Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593):
- Elizabethan playwright, poet, and translator.
- Known for his tragic plays such as "Doctor Faustus" and "Tamburlaine the Great."
- Died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 29.
2. Ben Jonson (1572-1637):
- English playwright, poet, and literary critic.
- Wrote comedies, tragedies, and masques.
- His most famous works include "Volpone," "The Alchemist," and "To Celia."
3. Thomas Kyd (1558-1594):
- Elizabethan dramatist.
- Best known for his play "The Spanish Tragedy," which is considered a precursor to Shakespeare's revenge tragedies.
4. John Webster (c. 1580–c. 1634):
- Jacobean dramatist and poet.
- Wrote tragedies and comedies, often dealing with themes of guilt, sin, and revenge.
- Notable plays include "The Duchess of Malfi" and "The White Devil."
5. Francis Beaumont (c. 1584–1616) and John Fletcher (1579-1625):
- Collaborated as a playwright duo known as "Beaumont and Fletcher."
- Wrote comedies, tragedies, and tragicomedies.
- Their plays are characterized by wit, romance, and intricate plots.
6. George Chapman (c.1559-1634):
- Elizabethan and Jacobean dramatist, translator, and poet.
- Most famous for his tragedies, including "Bussy D'Ambois," and "The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois."
- Also translated Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" into English.
7. Thomas Dekker (c.1572-1632):
- Prolific Elizabethan and Jacobean dramatist, pamphleteer, and poet.
- Known for his comedies and historical plays, such as "The Shoemaker's Holiday" and "The Honest Whore."
8. John Lyly (c.1554-1606):
- English writer, poet, and playwright.
- Best known for his court comedies, such as "Endymion" and "Campaspe."
- His works influenced Shakespeare and other writers of the period.
9. Thomas Nashe (1567-1601):
- English playwright, pamphleteer, and satirist.
- Known for his witty and satirical writings, including "The Unfortunate Traveler" and "Pierce Penilesse."
These writers, along with many others, contributed to the rich literary landscape of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, making it one of the most significant and influential periods in English literature.