Anne Killigrew

Anne Killigrew (1660–1685) was an English poet, who was also a painter. Born in London, Killigrew is perhaps best known as the subject of a famous elegy by the poet John Dryden entitled To The Pious Memory of the Accomplish'd Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew (1686). She was however a skilful poet in her own right, and her Poems were published posthumously in 1686. Dryden compared her poetic abilities to the famous Greek poet of antiquity, Sappho. Killigrew died of smallpox aged 25. Two paintings attributed to Killigrew are known. These are a self-portrait in Berkeley Castle, and a portrait of James II of England in the Royal Collection (in 2019 on display in Hillsborough Castle). Both of these are about half life-size but full-length.