John Dryden was an English poet, playwright, and literary critic of the 17th century. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1668 and was one of the most influential writers of the Restoration Age. His works include the heroic plays All for Love and Don Sebastian, the satirical plays Marriage à la Mode and The Wild Gallant, and the mock-heroic poem Mac Flecknoe. He is also known for his translations of Virgil's Aeneid and Homer's Iliad.