Sir Wotton (1568-1639)

Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639) was born in Boughton Malherbe, Kent and educated at Winchester and New College, Cambridge. Upon his fathers death he travelled widely throughout Europe, and upon ascension to the throne by King James of Scotland (who Wotton had earlier warned of an assasination attempt) became a court favourite. He was sent three times to be ambassador to Venice, and was eventually made provost of Eton - a post which he retained until his death. Writing was considered an indispensable and civilized attribute in a courtier, and it was in this spirit that Wotton wrote. His surviving writings (many were lost, including a play, Tancredo, and other poems) were collected and published together in 1651. In practice these only amount to about 15 poems; with two of them (including 'The Character of a Happy Life', with the other being "On his Mistris, the Queen of Bohemia") being largely responsible for keeping him in the minds of lovers of the English language. He is also known for a poem written by John Donne called "To Sir Henry Wotton".
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