John Donne
24 January 1572 - 31 March 1631
John Donne was an English poet, preacher, and theologian. He was born in London and was known for his unique and complex style of poetry that often dealt with themes of love, religion, and the nature of existence. He studied at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities and later became a lawyer, but decided to become a cleric and was ordained as a deacon in the Anglican Church in 1615. He was also appointed as the Royal Chaplain by King James I. He is considered as one of the greatest poets of the English Renaissance and his poetry is known for its intellectual and emotional depth, as well as its rich imagery and use of metaphor. He is famous for his works like "The Flea", "The Good-Morrow" and "Death Be Not Proud". His poetry and sermons continue to be widely read and studied today and he is considered one of the greatest poets in the English language.