John Donne, one of the greatest English poets and preachers of the 1600s, greatly influenced the field of writing through his works. In the first half of 1572 (the actual date is unknown), he was born in London to John Donne, a merchant, and Elizabeth Heywood Donne, the daughter of the poet and playwright John Heywood. His father died when Donne was around four years old. His younger brother, Henry, also died early in John Donne's life. John Donne grew up in a Catholic family. Both of his parents were devout Roman Catholics. Early in his adult life, Donne converted to Anglicanism. John Donne's education is somewhat confusing because the records are incomplete. There are records of his studying at Cambridge and Oxford, but he never obtained a degree from either. At the time, Donne was still Catholic. To graduate, you had to take an oath of allegiance to the Protestant queen. Because he was Catholic, he was unable to meet this requirement (Pi 178). He continued his education at Lincoln's Inn and the Inns of Court where he studied law. After completing his studies, Donne began working for the Earl of Essex sailing on ships. This led him to work for Sir Thomas Egerton, "the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and a member of Elizabeth's Privy Council" (Langstaff 347) as his secretary. During this time, Donne converted to Anglicanism and was made Lord Warden. Donne also began writing but not yet poetry. He begins to write his Paradoxes and Problems. He also fell in love with the niece of Egerton's second wife, Anne More. Anne More's father, Sir George More, was Chancellor of the Garter (Pi 178). The two married in secret. John Donne didn't tell his father about it for months after their marriage. In the middle of the paper, great poets such as Coleridge, Eliot and Browning. Donne's poetry is not for all tastes and all times ("John Donne" 1), but it has greatly influenced the field of writing. His influential and passionate sermons and devotions have long lived him and are considered among the greatest. Again, like his poems, his sermons are not addressed to everyone at all times. His sermons are very formal and compelling and reflect aspects of his poems. Works Cited “John Donne,” Poetry Foundation. Np, and Web. May 5, 2014. Langstaff, Richard W. “Give, John.” Collier's Encyclopedia. Flight. 8. New York, NY: P. F. Collier, 1996. 346-49. Print.Pi, PG "Given, John." The New Britannica Encyclopedia. 15th ed. Flight. 4. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 2002. 177-79. Print.Stringer, Gary A. “Give it, John. » The World Book Encyclopedia. 2004 ed. Flight. 5. Chicago: World Book, 2004. 308. Print.