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Why did John Dryden lose the poet laureateship in 1689?
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John Dryden
John Dryden, oil painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1693; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
John Dryden lost his position as poet laureate in 1689 following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which resulted in the abdication of King James II.12
Dryden had converted to Roman Catholicism in 1685, and he remained loyal to his faith following the political upheaval. Because he refused to renounce his religious allegiance to maintain his public offices, his political prospects were destroyed, and he was subsequently replaced as poet laureate by Thomas Shadwell.12