John Donne

(1572 - 1631)

John Donne was the preeminent poet of the Metaphysical school, described by a contemporary as, “very neat; a great visitor of ladies, a great frequenter of plays, a great writer of conceited verses.” Ordained as an Anglican priest in 1615, he was best known during his life for his sermons, becoming a favorite preacher of King James I and, later, Charles I, while almost all of his poetry was published posthumously.