John Donne and Andrew Marvel: Celebrating Two Great Metaphysical Poets and Statesmen

John Donne: Attended Cambridge,

Master of the Revels, Royal Chaplain,

Doctor of Divinity, Dean of St. Pauls Cathedral,

Member of Parliament, Poet,

Originator of the Metaphysical Conceit

To tell the truth is not exactly in keeping with April Fools Day--a day that is marked by pranks and practical jokes. And to say that Donne and Marvel share some things in common on April the first, is, perhaps stretching the truth and making a fool of my reader.

Verily, for these two masters of the 17th century metaphyscial abstruse verse, it is the yesterday, namely March 31st that we commemorate. On this very day 389 years ago, Andrew Marvel was born in Winestead-in Holderness, East Yorkshire, (31 March 1621-16 August 1678); on this day 379 years past, John Donne (21 January 1572-31 March 1631) passed on and was interred in St. Paul's Cathedral, located on Ludgate Hill--the highest point in London-- where a memorial statue was erected in his honor.

Andrew Marvel: Graduated from Cambridge University,

Tutor to the daughter of the Lord General Thomas Fairfax,

Poems in praise of Cromwell,

Latin Secretary to Cromwell's Council of State

along with John Milton, Member of Parliament,

Wrote Prose and Poems: political, satirical and metaphysical

Tune into later blogs where I discuss in greater depth, the contributions of both these remarkable personages.

Also, check out my introductory blog on John Milton, perhaps the most dominating writer and political figure of the 17th Century.