Born 1608.—Died 1674.—James I.—Charles I.—Charles II.

This great poet, born in Bread Street, London, was Cromwell’s Latin Secretary, and was strongly imbued with republican opinions. His Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained are models of sublime verse; and Comus and many smaller poems and sonnets are full of beauty and learning. Milton was totally blind, and was obliged to dictate his poems to his daughter, who wrote for him. He was buried in St. Giles’ church, Cripplegate, London.