John Webster was born in London around 1580. Little is known about his personal life, but it is believed that he came from a middle-class family. He is best known for his plays 'The Duchess of Malfi' (published in 1623) and 'The White Devil' (also known as 'The Revenger's Tragedy', published in 1612). 'The Duchess of Malfi' is considered a masterpiece of English theatre, famous for its brutal depiction of cruelty, corruption, and madness. Webster's characters are often tormented and morally ambiguous, and his plays explore the nature of evil and justice. Webster also collaborated with other playwrights, such as Thomas Middleton. He probably died in London around 1634.