This British dramatist and poet lived about 400 years ago and is considered the first poet laureate of Britain. A Canadian track star has the same name. Who was this person?

This notable figure from the early 17th century was a prominent English playwright, poet, and literary critic, widely regarded as the second most important English dramatist after William Shakespeare. Born in London in 1572, he led a tumultuous life that saw him work as a bricklayer and serve as a soldier before finding success in the world of theater. His major works include the satirical plays *Volpone*, *The Alchemist*, and *Bartholomew Fair*. In 1616, he received a royal pension for his literary service, leading to his identification as England's first poet laureate.

Adding a layer of modern-day recognition to the name is a well-known Canadian sprinter. Born in Jamaica in 1961, he later immigrated to Canada and emerged as a dominant force in track and field during the 1980s. His career was marked by incredible speed, setting a new world record in the 100-meter dash at the 1987 World Championships.

The Canadian athlete famously won the 100-meter final at the 1988 Seoul Olympics with another record-breaking time, a victory that was short-lived. He was disqualified just days later after testing positive for banned substances, a scandal that overshadowed his athletic achievements. Despite the controversy surrounding the modern athlete, the name's historical significance remains firmly with the influential British writer.