Tate, Nahum 1652-1715
Irish poet and dramatist

Born in Dublin, he studied at Trinity College there, and saw his first play staged in London in 1678. With Dr Johnson's approval, he wrote a number of 'improved' versions of Shakespeare's tragedies, substituting happy endings to suit the popular taste. With John Dryden's help he wrote a second part to the poet's Absalom and Achitophel (1682) and with Nicholas Brady compiled a metrical version of the Psalms. 'While Shepherds watched their Flocks by Night' is attributed to him, and he wrote the libretto of Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (1689). He succeeded Thomas Shadwell as Poet Laureate in 1692. His best-known work is Panacea or a Poem on Tea (1700).

Bibliography: H F S Thomas, The Life and Times of Nahum Tate (1934)