After John Dryden, Aphra Behns was the most prolific dramatist of the
Restoration. She was one of the first English professional female writers.
Earlier Behn had become attached to the Court, possibly through the
influence of Thomas Culpepper and other associates of influence, where she was
recruited as a political spy to Antwerp by Charles II. Charles II employed her
on secret service in the Netherlands during the Dutch war. At Antwerp she
successfully accomplished the objects of her mission; and in the latter end of
1666 she wormed out of one Van der Aalbert the design formed by De Ruyter, in
conjunction with the DeWitts, of sailing up the Thames and burning the English
ships in their harbours. This she communicated to the English court, but
although the event proved her intelligence to have been well founded, it was at
the time disregarded. Disgusted with political service, she returned to
England, and from this period she appears to have supported herself by her
writings.
Among her numerous plays are The Forced Marriage, or the Jealous
Bridegroom (1671); The Amorous Prince (1671); The Town Fop (1677); and The
Rover, or the Banished Cavalier (in two parts, 1677 and 1681); and The
Roundheads (1682). She possessed a great ingenuity, and showed an admirable
comprehension of stage business, while her wit and vivacity were unfailing. Of
her short tales, or novelettes, the best is the story of Oroonoko, which was
made the basis of Thomas Southerne's popular tragedy.
Aphra Behn died on 16 April 1689, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Below the inscription on her tombstone read the words:
"Here lies a Proof that Wit can never be Defence enough against
Mortality."
