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Pope was born to Alexander Pope Senior ( 1646 – 1717 ), a linen merchant of Plough Court, Lombard Street, London, and his wife Edith ( née Turner ) ( 1643 – 1733 ), who were both Catholics.

Edith's sister Christiana was the wife of the famous miniature painter Samuel Cooper.

Pope's education was affected by the recently enacted Test Acts, which upheld the status of the established Church of England and banned Catholics from teaching, attending a university, voting, or holding public office on pain of perpetual imprisonment.

Pope was taught to read by his aunt, and went to Twyford School in about 1698 / 99.

He then went to two Catholic schools in London.

Such schools, while illegal, were tolerated in some areas.