Peacham, Henry

Peacham, Henry an English writer who in early life was intending to enter the ministry, but finally became a traveling teacher, is supposed to have been tutor in the earl of Arundel's family. He was reduced to poverty in his old age, and wrote for bread. He published in early life a Sermon upon the last Three Verses of the First Chapter of Job (Lond. 1590, 16mo). But he is principally known to readers of polite literature. Among his publications are some complimentary poems, The Gentleman's Exercise, intended as a treatise on art; Minerva Britannica, a collection of emblems in verse, illustrated with plates; and The Complete Gentleman. This latter work is the one for which he was most celebrated, and it has been frequently reprinted. He died about 1640. See Chambers, Cyclop. of Engl. Literature; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Auth.