Greene's Groats-Worth of Wit

Robert Greene (also wrote as R. G.) (1558-1592) was an English author and well-known personality. He became perhaps the first professional author in England, publishing autobiography, plays, romances, and in other genres while capitalizing on a scandalous reputation. By 1583 Greene had begun his literary career with the publication of a long romance, Mamillia. He continued to produce romances written in a highly wrought style, reaching his highest level in Pandosto (1588) and Menaphon (1589). Short poems and songs incorporated in some of the romances gave him high rank as a lyrical poet. By rapid production of such works Greene became one of the first authors in England to support himself with his pen. In his notorious Coney-Catching pamphlets, Greene fashioned himself into a well-known public figure. In addition to prose romances, he composed numerous moral dialoguess, and even some scientific writings. Amongst his other works are A Notable Discovery of Coosnage (1591), Greene s Groats-Worth of Wit (1592), The Second and Last Part of Conny-Catching (1592), The Thirde and Last Part of Conny-Catching (1592) and The Honourable Historie of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (1594).