Answer: C. Samuel Johnson
John Dryden was an English poet, playwright, and literary critic known as England’s first Poet Laureate. He dominated the literary life of England’s restoration down to a point where the period became known within literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Samuel Johnson’s work was exceptional and John Dryden’s writing foreshadowed the satire of Samuel Johnson. Samuel Johnson made lasting contributions as a playwright, poet, essayist, critic, biographer, editor, lexicographer, and moralist.
Samuel Johnson was heavily influenced by Dryden and after Dryden’s death, Samuel Johnson gave a summary of his general attitude, saying he refined the language of English poetry, improved the sentiments, and also tuned the numbers of poetry in England. Samuel Johnson was widely known and regarded as one of the most influential figures of 18th-century life and letters.