John Donne (dean of St. Paul's)

John Donne (1572–1631) was an influential English poet and clergyman, serving as the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Known for his intellectually rich and emotionally intense poetry, he explored themes of love, faith, mortality, and the human condition. Donne's work bridges the Renaissance and early modern periods, blending classical learning with personal reflection. His sermons and writings are admired for their rhetorical skill and spiritual depth. As a religious figure, he emphasized the importance of personal devotion and the connection between the divine and the human soul, making him a key figure in English literary and religious history.