Butler, Samuel

In Latin: Sacred to the memory of Samuel Butler, who was born at Strensham in Worcestershire 1612 and died in London 1680. A man of extraordinary learning, wit and integrity. Peculiarly happy in his writings, not so in the encouragement of them; the curious inventor of a kind of satire among us, by which he plucked the mask from pious hypocrisy, and plentifully exposed the villainy of rebels: the first and last of writers in this way. Lest he, who, when alive, was destitute in all things, should, when dead, want likewise a monument John Barber, citizen of London, hath taken care by placing this stone over him 1721. [Translation courtesy of Westminster Abbey website.]