1608-1674. English poet. His early poems
include the pastoral L'allegro and Il
penseroso 1632, the masque Comus 1633, and
the elegy Lycidas 1637. His later works
include Paradise Lost 1667, Paradise Regained
1677, and the classic drama Samson Agonistes
1677. Born in London, Milton was educated at
Christ's College, Cambridge (where he was
known as `the Lady of Christ's' for his fine
features), and then devoted himself to study
for his poetic career. His middle years were
devoted to the Puritan cause and
pamphleteering, including one advocating
divorce, and another (Areopagitica) freedom
of the press. From 1649 he was (Latin)
secretary to the Council of State. His
assistants (as his sight failed) included
Marvell. He married Mary Powell 1643, and
their three daughters were later his somewhat
unwilling scribes. After Mary's death 1652,
the year of his total blindness, he married
twice more, his second wife Catherine
Woodcock dying in childbirth, while Elizabeth
Minshull survived him for over half a
century. He is buried in St Giles's,
Cripplegate, London.