George Gascoigne was born in Bedfordshire around 1535, the son of Sir John Gascoigne, a landowner and farmer. He attended Cambridge University, and in 1555 was admitted to Gray’s Inn. Two years later he served as a member of parliament for Bedford, a position he held until 1559. Although Gascoigne belonged to the minor gentry, his class status did not prevent him from a lifetime of financial and legal trouble. His literary career was dominated by financial insecurity, along with a search for patronage and a position at court. In 1570 he was imprisoned for debt, and when he was released he travelled to the Netherlands as part of the military expedition of Humphrey Gilbert, hoping to secure some income. He spent the next few years moving between England and the Continent, until finally,…
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Citation: Ward, Allyna. "George Gascoigne". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 January 2014 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1697, accessed 21 November 2024.]
