A VERY SHORT BIOGRAPHY:
John Donne is a great metaphysical poets who devoted himself not only to his poetry, but also to his religious faith. Donne was born in London in 1572 to his father John Donne, who was an ironmonger, and to his mother Elizabeth Heywood. John Donne senior was a prospering merchant who died in 1575 or 1576 leaving his widow with six children, John Donne being the eldest brother. Donne’s family was devotedly Roman Catholic which greatly influenced young Donne’s religious faith growing up. At the time Donne was growing up there was a cleavage between the Roman Catholic Church and the Reformed English Church. In Donne’s household Protestantism and all that it implied was hated by his mother.
Donne was educated by tutors up until the age of 11 or 12 and then was admitted to Oxford along with his younger brother. It is suggested by Rev. Canon Augustus Jessopp that John and his brother entered university at such a young age because it allowed them to avoid the oath of supremacy. Donne later left Oxford to attend Cambridge, but never achieved a degree at either university because of his refusal to take an oath of loyalty to crown and Church which was required for the completion of a degree. After this he began to study law at Lincoln’s Inn in London in 1592. He was eventually appointed to the position of private secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton, who was the Keeper of the Great Seal in 1598.
At the age of 27 Donne secretly married Sir George More’s daughter which angered Sir More greatly. Sir More had Egerton expel Donne and had him imprisoned. Later Donne and Sir More reconciled but Donne’s new reputation had damaged any possible career in law. John lived with his wife Anne in almost a state of poverty, often relying on friends for support. During this time he was often in constant study of some of the controversies between the English and Roman churches. Eventually things started to look up for Donne since he eventually found himself in favor with the king. John Donne eventually converted to Protestantism and devoted much of his life to the clergy. He became a preacher at Lincoln's Inn giving ingenious sermons, many of which that were printed still exist today. Anne died in 1617 with 7 of their 12 children having survived her. This event affected him deeply causing him to throw himself entirely into devotion and his studies. John Donne died March 31, 1631 after having devoted much of his life to the church.
For a complete list of John Donne's works please visit this site: http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/donnebib.htm