Thomas Dekker's life and works are closely associated with the urban setting of London. While of Dutch heritage, Dekker's prose works indicate that he was born and raised in London. Little is known of this early life in the city until he emerges in Philip Henslowe's Diary in 1598 as the author of the lost play,
Phaeton. He appears, if we accept that the Th. Dekker noted in baptismal and burial records refers to the dramatist, to have been married twice: firstly to Elizabeth, who bore him three daughters, Dorcas, Elizabeth, and Anne, and secondly to Mary, who was buried in 1616.
Throughout his life, Dekker had constant difficulties with the judiciary, mainly in relation to his severe financial problems. In 1598, Dekker was imprisoned at the Counter in the Poultry for debt, which Henslowe
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Citation: Stymeist, David. "Thomas Dekker". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 June 2002 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1204, accessed 23 November 2024.]
