John Milton: A Biography

by Neil Forsyth

Overview

John Milton has usually been regarded as 'the other great poet' in English literature, after Shakespeare. He is the only one of the world's great poets also to have been actively engaged in politics. A radical Protestant and staunch republican, he served as Latin secretary to Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth. After the restoration of Charles II, his life was probably saved by his fame as a poet. Apart from the great poems like Paradise Lost and Samson Agonistes, Milton also wrote eloquent treatises on topics including divorce, freedom of the press, kingship and education. This lively new biography by a renowned Milton scholar explores the psychological complexities of a man who must be counted one of the most significant and fascinating writers and thinkers of all time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745959139
Publisher:	Lion Books
Publication date:	04/17/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	948 KB

About the Author

Neil Forsyth holds an M.A. in Classics and English from King's College, Cambridge, and another in Comparative Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his PhD. from the University of California at Berkeley. He is renowned as a Milton scholar, and The Milton Society of America awarded him the 2004 James Holly Hanford prize for The Satanic Epic. Princeton and Guildford: Princeton University Press, 2003.

Editorial Reviews

At first, such a slim biography on a monumental figure like Milton might be prejudged superficial. However, Forsyth, who received the 2004 James Holly Hanford Prize from the Milton Society of America for The Satanic Epic, creates a complete picture of his subject that gives readers a sense of the man and his times. He blends into the biographical data Milton's literary achievements, so where he was in his development can be appreciated. In addition, Forsyth offers a good amount of social/political/religious information of 17th-century England, which allows an even fuller understanding of Milton's world. The audience for this work should be familiar with Milton's body of literature as well as some English history. This is not an easy read, but the light tone helps make the work accessible. VERDICT Forsyth's engrossing and informative book is essential for anyone following classic English literature.—Paolina Taglienti, Everest Coll., Henderson, NV

Library Journal

"Essential for anyone following classic English literature." —Library Journal



"Forsyth's scholarship recreates and redefines the milieu out of which Milton's works emerged . . . As a result of his work, we are in Forsyth's debt." —Milton Quarterly on The Satanic Epic



"An excellent book." —John Leonard, editor, John Milton: The Complete Poems

From the Publisher

"Forsyth's prose is brisk, stylish and entertaining."

Financial Times