The mind is it's own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.
- John Milton
John Milton was born in London on December 9, 1608. He was the second of three children who survived past infancy. Milton's eyesight, poor since childhood, steadily worsened through studying and he frequently suffered headaches.
He was admitted to Christ College, Cambridge in 1625, and studied there for seven years before he graduated as Master of Arts on July 3, 1632. His time wasn't completely succesful there however as he found himself suspended for a term after fighting with his tutor.
He was widowed twice before the publication of Paradise Lost in 1667 (roughly 10 years after he had started work on it). By this time Milton was both blind and impoverished, but his epic poem instantly attained universal fame. He penned both Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained through dictation because of his blindness.
Milton died on November 8, 1674. He was buried beside his father in the church of St Giles, Cripplegate. A monument to Milton rests in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey.
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