Milton was a British poet, prose-writer, and civil servant. He is considered one of the most influential authors in English history, perhaps second only to William Shakespeare. Milton’s career was guided by the shifting political climate in England during the 17th century. A staunch anti-royalist and anti-papist, Milton published political pamphlets and treatises that were considered by many of his contemporaries to be extreme. Milton was also a devout Puritan Christian, and before his education at Christ’s College at Cambridge, he considered entering the clergy. After his time at the university, Milton studied and read extensively for six years, becoming well-versed in religion, literature, and history, and spoke seven languages competently, including English. He then traveled abroad in Italy and France where he encountered prominent intellectuals, including Galileo. He wrote several poems during this period, including “On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity” (1629), “On Shakespeare” (1630), and “Lycidas” (1637). He also wrote Comus (1634), a masque or performance piece that was presented for aristocracy at Ludlow Castle.

During the English Civil War (1642-1651), Milton strongly endorsed Parliament against the Royalists and penned several tracts and pamphlets in support of a Presbyterian Parliament. He argued for the right to divorce as well as the public’s right to execute a convicted king.