Tribe of Ben or the sons of Ben is a title adopted by a group of English poets and playwrights early in the 17th c. who were considerably influenced by Ben Jonson’ writing, philosophy and style – and thus by Classicism. Their lyrics were often epigrammatical, witty, and satirical and were modelled on the lyrics of The Greek Anthology.
The main members of the tribe’ were Robert Herrick, Thomas Carew, Sir John Suckling, Richard Lovelace, Richard Brome, Viscount Falkland, Sir William Davenant, Thomas Randolph and Godolphin. These men would become the foremost playwrights and poets of their day, with many of them forming the poetic movement known as Cavalier Poetry.
Also read: Cavalier poets
Also read: Graveyard School of Poetry in the 18th century