Dutton was a zealous Baptist who was actively involved in church life and often used the letter format as a vehicle for writing religious treatises. In addition to her religious discourses, she wrote an autobiography, poetry, and hymns. She also defended the right of women to publish.

Dunster was a clergyman who translated some works from Latin into English. He evidently wrote some mediocre poetry (acc. to the DNB), contained within 'Lacrymae Cantabrigienses in obitum seren. reginae Mariae.' His most prominent work was his translation of Horace in 1710, though his translation was denounced and satirized.

Despite his position as a clergyman, Dunkin was often indiscreet and rash, but he was a well-regarded Irish poet who frequently wrote in Latin and Greek. He wrote complimentary odes, epistles, and eclogues, in addition to his comic poems, which exemplify his technical ability and sharp, Swiftian-like wit. He was highly regarded by his friend and patron Swift as the best poet in Ireland.

In 1725, Duncombe left his job as a clerk "to pursue a life of ‘literary leisure’" (DNB). He undertook a number of translations from Latin, and wrote a tragedy based off of Voltaire's Brutus. He also published posthumous publications of his friends, including Henry Needler, John Hughes, Jabez Hughes, and Samuel Say.

Duck was in a rather odd social position -- a farm labourer by birth who became an imitation court poet due to his royal patronage. The many dedications to Queen Caroline reveal his constant acknowledgement of his indebtedness to her. His early works include 'The Thresher's Labour' and 'The Shunammite.' The period of the Queen's patronage was Duck's most prolific. Duck may have been considered for the laureateship. He was satirized by many, including Swift and Pope, though the DNB insists that his reputation in the 1730s should not be underestimated.

Dodsley exemplifies the bookseller-writer-poet hybrid. He had poetic aspirations at a young age, composing verses while still working for Sir Richard Howe and sharing his work with Pope. With Pope's encouragement, Dodsley opened a successful bookshop, publishing the first works of many poets, including Mark Akenside, John Brown, John Gilbert Cooper, Thomas Gray, William Mason, William Shenstone, Joseph and Thomas Warton, William Whitehead, William Collins, Stephen Duck, William Thompson, and Edward Young, as well as many of Pope's works.

Doddridge was a zealous dissenting minister who was actively involved in his clerical duties. He was a prolific sermon writer, usually spoken extemporaneously. He would often follow his sermons with an original hymn, based off of biblical texts and intended to reinforce the day's sermon. These hymns were collected from MS and published posthumously. He also reviewed works by Newton and Hutcheson, in addition to editing the works of literary friends (see 'Periodicals and Misc. column).

Little is known about Dixon's life, save for the single volume of poetry she published (anonymously) in her lifetime. The 500 subscribers were mostly local, but also included nobility and some prominent poets, such as Elizabeth Carter and Alexander Pope. Dixon's poetry is mostly pastoral, but ranges from light poems and romantic ballads to satire and religious verse. The DNB explains that she "characteristically underplays her education, intellect, and talent as a ‘weaker Woman’."

Dibben was an anglican clergyman and a rather renowned Latin poet. He published sermons, translations, and original poetry. Suffering from mental illness, he abandoned his family and fortune.

Desaguliers was a successful natural philospher, lecturer, and engineer who promoted Newtonian ideas. He was also a lukewarm clergyman; his clerical preferments reveal his skill at acquiring sources of income rather than his commitment to the religious life. He had many lucrative connections through his membership with the freemasons and the Royal society, and was skilled at acquiring aristocratic patronage. His only poem, The Newtonian System, is an example of poetry used solely as a vehicle for flattery in order to secure monetary support.