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John Donne |
Born into a wealthy Catholic family, John Donne traveled across Europe for several years before entering the service of King James. But when he secretly married his sponsor’s niece his promising diplomatic career was ended. For seventeen years he struggled as a poor country lawyer, writing many of the world’s great love poems. Then his wife died giving birth to their twelfth child. He renounced his Catholic faith and became Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral (Anglican) where his brilliant rhetoric made him famous.
“Jack” Donne, the witty lawyer, became Dr. Donne, the greatest preacher of his time. And the city was in need. Year after year the Bubonic plague swept through London, and every life was touched. Shakespeare lost two sisters, a brother, and a son. But Donne seemed more affected by it than most, choosing at one point to have his portrait painted wrapped in a shroud. One of the great love poets of the language, his theme now turned to death.
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Immortal Poets: Their Lives and Verse, by Christopher Burns |