Who was the first known literary critic what book did he write about theater of his time?

While there's no single definitive "first" literary critic, Aristotle is widely considered the founding father of literary criticism and his work "Poetics" is a foundational text for theater criticism.

Here's why:

* Ancient Origins: Aristotle's "Poetics" dates back to the 4th century BC, making it one of the earliest surviving works of literary theory.

* Focus on Structure and Elements: Aristotle focused on analyzing the elements of drama, such as plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. This analytical approach laid the groundwork for future theatrical criticism.

* Influence on Western Thought: "Poetics" became a cornerstone of Western literary theory and its principles have influenced critics and playwrights for centuries.

However, it's important to note:

* Ancient Traditions: There were likely earlier forms of theater criticism in ancient Greece, even before Aristotle.

* Diverse Voices: Over time, many individuals have contributed to the development of literary criticism, and attributing its origin to a single person doesn't fully capture the rich history of this field.

While Aristotle might not have been the first person to critique theater, "Poetics" remains a seminal text that solidified the foundations of literary criticism and continues to be studied and debated today.