Henry Wotton
Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639) was an English diplomat and poet known for his contributions to both literature and politics. He received his education at Winchester School and later at Oxford, where he developed a friendship with the famous poet John Donne. Wotton embarked on a tour of Europe before beginning his political career as secretary to Robert Devereux, the second earl of Essex. He was knighted in 1603 and served as England's ambassador to Venice for nearly two decades. Wotton's poetry often reflects his experiences in court, with notable works including "The Character of a Happy Life," which outlines virtues for a fulfilling life, and an encomium celebrating Elizabeth Stuart, which gained significant popularity. Though considered a minor poet today, his writings resonated with contemporary figures such as Ben Jonson and George Herbert. In his later years, Wotton focused on religious themes in his poetry, ultimately producing several hymns before his death. His legacy combines his diplomatic achievements with an enduring, though modest, poetic reputation.
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Henry Wotton
Author
- Born: March 30, 1568
- Birthplace: Boughton Malherbe, Kent, England
- Died: December 1, 1639
Biography
English diplomat and poet Sir Henry Wotton was born on March 30, 1568, to Thomas and his second wife, Eleanor Fitch Wotton. Wotton received his early education at Winchester School and later attended New College and Queen’s College, Oxford, earning his bachelor of arts degree in 1588. He is believed to have met John Donne while in college, developing a friendship that would greatly influence Wotton’s career as a poet. After his tour of Europe from 1588 to 1594, he entered the Middle Temple, though he was never called to the bar, and began his political career as both secretary and agent to Robert Devereux, second earl of Essex. After leaving the earl’s service, he was knighted by King James in 1603 and served as his ambassador to Venice intermittently from 1604 to 1623.
Wotton’s service and close involvement with the court provide the subject matter for a good portion of his poetic output. Among the many lyrics written as occasion poems or cautionary tales, two of his most outstanding were written while he was in temporary disfavor with King James because of an epigram about ambassadors that the king did not find humorous: the still often-quoted “The Character of a Happy Life” and a reflective piece on the fall of the earl of Somerset. “The Character of a Happy Life” identifies the virtues, habits of mind, and accompaniments needed for a well-lived life (interestingly, as critics have noted, the list does not include a wife), while the piece on the earl of Somerset cautions readers against the fleeting, often devastating, illusory winds of court favor. However, his poem praising Elizabeth Stuart was his most popular piece. Though an encomium praising Stuart’s physical and moral beauties, it was often read and imitated as a love poem. Toward the end of his life, Wotton decided to devote himself and his writing to God. Of the seven poems written just before his death in December of 1639, three are hymns, two original, and one a translation into verse of Psalm 104.
Known better for his work as a diplomat and considered a minor poet, Sir Henry Wotton wrote a variety of lyrics that were immensely popular in his day and that won the esteem of numerous influential poets, including Ben Jonson, John Donne, and George Herbert. His astute, psychologically sound depictions of the vicissitudes of court life as well as his poem of praise to Elizabeth Stuart and contemplative piece “The Character of a Happy Life” make up the foundation on which his current reputation as a fine minor poet rests.