Person    | Male  Born 1572  Died 31/3/1631

John Donne

Categories: Poetry

Poet and clergyman. Born in Bread Street into a literate Catholic family (connected to Sir Thomas More) at a time when the Catholic religion was banned. Appointed private secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton. 1601 married his employer's niece against her family's wishes which lead to a spell in prison and a delayed dowry. Became an MP in 1601. 1610-15 he publicly renounced his faith, converted to Anglicanism and was appointed Royal Chaplain. 1617, after giving birth to their 12th child his wife, Anne More, died. 1621 became dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral and died at the deanery, possibly in Dean's Court, but not the building that is there now since that was erected in 1670.

"No man is an island.”
“Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”

 His love/erotic poetry is much admired:
"For love, all love of other sights controls, And makes one little room an every where."
"I am two fools, I know, for loving, and for saying so in whining poetry."

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Donne

Commemorated ati

John Donne bust

The poetry on the base of the statue is from Donne’s 1613 poem ‘Good Friday—R...

Read More

Other Subjects

Alfred Reynolds

Alfred Reynolds

Born as Reinhold Alfréd in Budapest. Writer on social and religious topics. Known in England for his leadership of a libertarian group, the Bridge Circle, post-1945. A long time ago at stormloader...

Person, Philosophy, Poetry, Hungary

1 memorial
Richard Le Gallienne

Richard Le Gallienne

Poet and essayist. Born in Liverpool. A member of The Rhymers' Club.Died in Menton, south of France.

Person, Poetry, France

1 memorial
Rohit Sapra
1 memorial
Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling

Poet and story writer. Born: Bombay, India. Died: London. See Waterloo Free Buffet. 2021: The Guardian reported some updates to English Heritage's information on Kipling: "While his children’s sto...

Person, Literature, Poetry, Race Issues, Seriously Famous, India

2 memorials
Benvenuto Cellini

Benvenuto Cellini

Italian goldsmith, sculptor, draftsman, soldier, musician, and artist who also wrote a famous autobiography and poetry.

Person, Art, Craft / Design, Literature, Music / songs, Poetry, Sculpture, Italy

2 memorials