John Donne

John Donne (* between January and June 1572, † 31 March 1631, both in London), a famous English poet, particulary well-known for his metaphysical poetry.

Family

John Donne was born into a Roman Catholic Family. His father, John Donne (1535–1576), worked as a successful merchant in London. His mother Elizabeth Heywood (1543–1631), daughter of the playwright John Heywood, was closely related to the family of Thomas More. John's father died when he was your years old. In the same year, 1576, John Donne's mother married his stepfather Dr. John Syminges, physician and academic.

Education and Career

With a prosperous father and stepfather with academic background, the Donne children were privileged to receive profound education. After several years of private education John Donne entered the University of Oxford in 1584.