Charles Dryden (English writer)

Charles Dryden (1666 – 1704) was an English writer and translator, and the third son of the celebrated poet John Dryden.

While overshadowed by his father's literary fame, Charles Dryden pursued his own career as a writer and translator. He is best known for his translations from Latin, particularly his versions of works by classical authors.

Like his brothers, John Dryden Jr. and Erasmus Henry Dryden, Charles Dryden was educated abroad, specifically in Italy. He spent considerable time in Rome.

His works include translations of classical texts, and he contributed to collaborative translation projects, common in the literary circles of his time. Details of his individual contributions are sometimes difficult to definitively ascertain due to the collaborative nature of many publishing ventures during his lifetime.

Charles Dryden tragically died by drowning in the River Thames in 1704. He was unmarried and left no issue. While his literary output might be considered modest compared to his father’s, he represents an important figure in the Dryden family legacy and a minor contributor to the literary landscape of late 17th and early 18th century England.