John Milton

John Milton Christ's College

The poet and statesman John Milton was born 1608 in Bread Street

John Milton portrait

John Milton plaque Berkyn Manor Farm Horton

Areopagitica bridwell

19 York Street, Westminster (1848)

John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet, pamphleteer, and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell. He is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, one of the greatest works of English literature. Milton's poetry and prose reflect deep personal convictions, a passion for freedom and self-determination, and the urgent issues and political turbulence of his day. Writing in English, Latin, and Italian, Milton achieved international renown within his lifetime, and his works have been studied, interpreted, and celebrated over the centuries.

Early Life and Education

John Milton was born in London on 9 December 1608, into a middle-class family. His father, also named John Milton, was a legal secretary and composer. Milton was educated at St Paul's School, where he began to develop a mastery of Latin and Greek, and at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he was admitted in 1625. Despite intending to become a clergyman, Milton became disillusioned with the corruption within the Church of England and abandoned his plans for the priesthood. Instead, he pursued a path of scholarly study and poetic composition.

Career and Works

After leaving Cambridge in 1632, Milton spent six years studying independently. He wrote a series of poems during this period, including On the Morning of Christ's Nativity, Comus, and Lycidas. In 1638, Milton undertook a journey across France and Italy, where he met influential thinkers and writers.

Upon his return to England, Milton became increasingly involved in the political and religious turmoil that led to the English Civil War. He wrote a series of pamphlets advocating for the abolition of the Church of England, the legitimacy of divorce, and freedom of the press. His writings during this period include Areopagitica, a seminal defense of free speech.

With the establishment of the Commonwealth, Milton was appointed Secretary for Foreign Tongues by the Council of State, a position that involved composing official correspondence in Latin. Despite his increasing blindness, Milton continued to write, producing his most famous work, Paradise Lost, after the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. This epic poem, published in 1667, explores the biblical story of the Fall of Man and combines themes of rebellion, temptation, and redemption. Milton's later works include Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes.

Legacy

John Milton is considered one of the most significant writers in the English language. His works have influenced a wide range of writers, thinkers, and artists over the centuries. Paradise Lost, in particular, has been celebrated for its beauty, complexity, and exploration of themes of freedom, justice, and human fallibility. Milton's advocacy for civil liberties and his role in the political debates of his time have also earned him a place as a pivotal figure in the history of political thought.

See Also

• English literature
• Epic poetry
• Commonwealth of England
• Oliver Cromwell