John Milton.

Name: Paradise Lost
Author: John Milton

Born 9 Dec 1608 London, United Kingdom

Died 8 Nov 1674 Chalfont, United Kingdom

Citizenship United Kingdom

8 min read

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May 5, 2026

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TL;DR

John Milton published his epic poem Paradise Lost in 1667 after completing it while blind. The blank-verse work is a cornerstone of English literature. Milton also served as Secretary for Foreign Tongues for the Commonwealth and was married three times.

Identity & family.

KIN · 10

Names, aliases, and relatives of John Milton — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

PARENTS: Sara Jeffrey
SPOUSES: Elizabeth Minshull Katherine Woodcock Mary Powell
CHILDREN: Anne Milton Deborah Milton Mary Milton Katherine Milton
SIBLINGS: Christopher Milton Anne Milton

At a glance.

STATS

John Milton by the numbers — life, work, and family.

65 Years lived

73 Books

3 Marriages

4 Children

Who was John Milton?

BIOGRAPHY

John Milton — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

John Milton was born in London on December 9, 1608, into a family with musical ties: his father and grandfather were both composers. He attended St Paul’s School and later studied at Christ’s College and Jesus College at Cambridge, initially preparing for a career in the church. Milton’s early education immersed him in classical and religious texts that shaped his poetry.

Career

Milton’s career shifted from religious study to political action when he became Secretary for Foreign Tongues for the Commonwealth under its Council of State. He wrote propaganda supporting the republican government and privately broke with Oliver Cromwell after Cromwell declared himself Lord Protector. Arrested in October 1659, Milton was spared execution thanks to the intercession of poet Andrew Marvell and others; King Charles II released him on December 15, 1659. His greatest work, Paradise Lost, was published in 1667 after Milton had gone completely blind. The epic poem, written in blank verse, recounts the biblical Fall of Man and is a masterwork of English poetry.

Personal life

Milton married Mary Powell in June 1642, but she left shortly after the wedding and did not return until 1645 due to family loyalties: her family were Royalists while Milton supported Oliver Cromwell. The couple had four children: Anne born 1646, Mary 1648, John 1651–1652, and Deborah 1652. After Mary’s death in 1652, Milton married Katherine Woodcock in 1656; they had a daughter, Katherine, who died in infancy in 1658, and Katherine herself died shortly after childbirth. His third marriage was to Elizabeth Minshull in 1663, who survived him. Milton’s father and grandfather were both composers, contributing to a madrigal collection for Queen Elizabeth I.

Legacy

Paradise Lost has had a profound influence on English literature, inspiring countless writers and artists. The John Milton Society for the Blind was founded in 1928 by Helen Keller to provide religious literature to the deaf and blind, honoring Milton’s own blindness and his spiritual depth. Milton’s work continues to be studied in schools and universities worldwide, and he is remembered as a master poet in the English language.

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 73

John Milton's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Paradise Lost

by John Milton
Amazon

Milton's Poems

by John Milton
Amazon

Areopagitica

by John Milton et al.
Amazon

Comus

by John Milton
Amazon

Paradise Regained

by John Milton
Amazon

Poetical Works

by John Milton
Amazon

Samson Agonistes

by John Milton
Amazon

The Works of John Milton

by John Milton
Amazon

The Complete Poems of John Milton

by John Milton et al.
Amazon

The Prose Works of John Milton

by John Milton
Amazon

Lycidas

by John Milton
Amazon

Complete Prose Works of John Milton

by John Milton
Amazon

The Harvard Classics, Vol. 3

by Francis Bacon et al.
Amazon

Milton's Samson Agonistes and Lycidas

by John Milton et al.

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Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from John Milton — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Who Kills a Man Kills a Reasonable Creature, God’s Image, but Thee Who Destroys a Good Book, Kills Reason Its Self.

Did you know?

FACTS · 8

Little-known facts about John Milton — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Helen Keller founded the John Milton Society for the Blind in 1928, an interdenominational ministry providing spiritual guidance and religious literature to the deaf and blind.
Milton authored Paradise Lost, an epic poem that is a masterwork of the English language.
With Mary Powell, Milton had four children: Anne born 29 July 1646, Mary 25 October 1648, John 16 March 1651 – June 1652, and Deborah 2 May 1652. With his second wife Katherine Woodcock, he had a daughter Katherine 19 October 1657 – 17 March 1658.
Milton was completely blind by the time his epic Paradise Lost was published in 1667.
Milton’s grandfather was a composer who contributed to a madrigal collection honoring Queen Elizabeth I.
After marrying Mary Powell in June 1642, she left to visit her family and did not return until 1645. Her Royalist family, ejected from Oxford, moved in with Milton in 1646, despite his support for Oliver Cromwell.
Milton served as Secretary for Foreign Tongues and propagandist for the Commonwealth, but broke with Cromwell when he declared himself Lord Protector. Arrested in October 1659, he narrowly avoided execution thanks to intercessions by Andrew Marvell and others; King Charles II spared him, and he was released on December 15.
Milton’s father also was a composer who contributed to the same collection of madrigals in honor of Queen Elizabeth I.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 33

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about John Milton.

When was John Milton born?

John Milton was born on December 9, 1608. He was born in London, England, during a period of religious and political instability.
Where was John Milton born?

John Milton was born in London, England. London at that time was a center of political and cultural activity.
When did John Milton die?

John Milton died on November 8, 1674, at the age of 65. He died in Chalfont St. Giles, England, from complications due to gout.
How old was John Milton when he died?

John Milton was 65 years old when he died on November 8, 1674. He was born in 1608.
Where did John Milton die?

John Milton died in Chalfont, St. Giles, England. This location is in Buckinghamshire.
How did John Milton die?

John Milton died from complications of gout, a form of arthritis. He was 65 years old at the time.
What did John Milton do for a living?

John Milton was a writer and poet. He also served as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England, working as Secretary for Foreign Tongues.
What nationality was John Milton?

John Milton was English. He was born in London, England, and lived most of his life there.
What language did John Milton speak?

John Milton’s native language was English. He wrote all his major works in English, but he also knew Latin and Greek.
Who were John Milton's parents?

John Milton’s mother was Sara Jeffrey. His father, also named John Milton, was a composer who contributed to a madrigal collection for Queen Elizabeth I.
Who were John Milton's wives?

John Milton was married three times. His first wife was Mary Powell married 1642, died 1652. His second wife was Katherine Woodcock married 1656, died 1658. His third wife was Elizabeth Minshull married 1663, survived him.
Did John Milton have children?

Yes, John Milton had five children. With Mary Powell he had Anne, Mary, John who died in infancy, and Deborah. With Katherine Woodcock he had Katherine who also died in infancy.
Did John Milton have any siblings?

Yes, John Milton had two siblings: a brother named Christopher Milton and a sister named Anne Milton.
Where did John Milton go to school?

John Milton was educated at St Paul’s School in London. He then attended Christ’s College and Jesus College at Cambridge University.
What was John Milton known for?

John Milton published his epic poem Paradise Lost in 1667. This blank-verse work is a masterpiece of English poetry. He also wrote political pamphlets and served as a civil servant.
Was John Milton married?

Yes, John Milton was married three times. His marriages were to Mary Powell, Katherine Woodcock, and Elizabeth Minshull. His first marriage produced four children.
What is John Milton's most famous work?

John Milton’s most famous work is Paradise Lost 1667. It is an epic poem written in blank verse that tells the story of the Fall of Man.
Did John Milton go blind?

Yes, John Milton was completely blind before the publication of Paradise Lost in 1667. He dictated the poem to assistants because he could not see to write.
What role did John Milton play in the English Civil War?

John Milton supported Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians. He served as Secretary for Foreign Tongues, writing propaganda for the Commonwealth. He later broke with Cromwell when he declared himself Lord Protector.
How did John Milton avoid execution?

After the Restoration, Milton was arrested in October 1659 and faced execution. However, poet Andrew Marvell and other influential figures spoke on his behalf, persuading King Charles II to spare his life. He was released on December 15.
Who was Andrew Marvell in relation to Milton?

Andrew Marvell worked as Milton’s assistant and later as a poet. He was instrumental in securing Milton’s release from prison after the Restoration.
What was Milton's father's profession?

Milton’s father, also named John Milton, was a composer. He contributed to a collection of madrigals in honor of Queen Elizabeth I.
What was Milton's grandfather's profession?

Milton’s grandfather was also a composer and contributed to the same madrigal collection honoring Queen Elizabeth I.
Did Milton have a middle name?

John Milton did not have a middle name; he was simply known as John Milton.
What was Milton's religion?

Milton was a devout Christian. He wrote extensively on religious themes, and his epic Paradise Lost is based on the Bible.
Where did Milton live during his later life?

In his later years, Milton lived in Chalfont St. Giles, England. He moved there to escape the plague in London and died there.
What is blank verse?

Blank verse is poetry written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. Milton famously used blank verse for his epic Paradise Lost.
What is the John Milton Society for the Blind?

The John Milton Society for the Blind was founded in 1928 by Helen Keller. It is an interdenominational ministry that provides spiritual guidance and religious literature to the deaf and blind.
Who founded the John Milton Society for the Blind?

Helen Keller founded the John Milton Society for the Blind in 1928. The society honors Milton’s vision and provides religious materials to the blind.
What was Milton's political affiliation?

Milton supported the Parliamentarians and Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. He served the Commonwealth as Secretary for Foreign Tongues.
Why did Milton break with Oliver Cromwell?

Milton broke with Cromwell when Cromwell declared himself Lord Protector. Milton was a republican and opposed the concentration of power in one person.
How many children did Milton have with Mary Powell?

Milton had four children with Mary Powell: Anne, Mary, John, and Deborah. Only Anne and Deborah survived infancy.
How many children did Milton have with Katherine Woodcock?

Milton had one child with Katherine Woodcock, a daughter named Katherine. She died in infancy, and Katherine Woodcock also died shortly after childbirth.

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Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on May 5, 2026

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