John Milton • Puritan, born in 1608 died in 1674. • Wrote poetry in English, Italian and Latin • In 1642 he upset his new wife with his political views to such an extent that she returned to her Royalist family – his divorce got him in religious trouble • He subsequently argued that incompatibility of spirit was more important in divorce than adultery • He also promoted free press – opposed to Charles I in the conflict preceding the Restoration • Along with Chaucer and Shakespeare, one of the foremost Canonical writers
