The Poetry of John Clare: A major poet who focused on celebrating being in nature and the simple countryside life

John Clare was born on 13th July, 1793 in Helpston, a few miles north of Peterborough.

Schooled only until the age of 12 his early career was that of agricultural labourer, pot boy, gardener and lime burner. His early life of hardship and frequent malnutrition led to his diminutive stature of five feet and contributed to his later health problems.

In 1820 his first poems were published and began to earn him a reputation as the “Northamptonshire Peasant Poet”.

His poetry sold well but only occa...