John Denham (poet) facts for kids
Sir John Denham (born around 1614 or 1615 – died March 19, 1669) was an Anglo-Irish poet and a member of the royal court. He held an important job as the King's official architect, called the Surveyor of the King's Works. He is buried in the famous Westminster Abbey in London.
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Early Life and Education
John Denham was born in Dublin, Ireland. His father, also named John Denham, was a judge. His mother, Eleanor Moore, passed away when he was only about five years old.
He went to Trinity College, Oxford and later studied law at Lincoln's Inn in London. He wasn't the most focused student. He enjoyed gambling quite a bit, which worried his father.
Life During the English Civil War
During the English Civil War, John Denham supported King Charles I. This support caused him some trouble. In 1642, he was made the High Sheriff of Surrey and the governor of Farnham Castle. However, the castle was quickly taken by the Parliament's army, and Denham was briefly held prisoner.
After his release, he spent five years in Oxford, where he was trusted by King Charles I. When peace talks happened in 1646, Parliament wanted him excluded from the King's advisors. In 1648, he joined the King's court in exile, living abroad for four years.
He returned to England in 1652. He found that his family lands had been sold, leaving him with very little money. He eventually found protection from a powerful person, Philip Herbert, 5th Earl of Pembroke. The authorities, however, were concerned about his visits to London. They ordered him to live far from the capital, so he settled in Bury St. Edmunds.
A famous story from this time shows Denham's cleverness. Another poet, George Wither, who supported Parliament, had taken Denham's land. When Wither was captured and faced danger, Sir John Denham asked the King not to harm him. He famously said that as long as Wither lived, he (Denham) wouldn't be considered the worst poet in England! This was a witty way to save Wither's life.
After the King Returned to Power
After the King returned to power in 1660, Denham's life improved greatly. He became a Member of Parliament for Old Sarum in 1661. He also became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1663, which is a group for important scientists and thinkers. He was also made a Knight of the Bath.
He received large amounts of land to make up for what he had lost during the war. Around 1665, he built or helped design the original Burlington House in Piccadilly, London.
Surveyor of the King's Works
After the King's return, Denham was appointed Surveyor of the King's Works. This was a very important job, overseeing royal building projects. He likely got this role because of his loyalty to the King, rather than being a trained architect.
Another architect, John Webb, who was very skilled, complained that Denham probably knew about architecture in theory but not in practice. Webb was appointed Denham's assistant and did much of the actual work on projects like Greenwich. However, Denham was seen as a good administrator. He might have helped design his own home, Burlington House.
Later Life and Passing
Sir John Denham faced some health challenges in his later years. He passed away on March 19, 1669. Just two weeks before his death, Christopher Wren, a very famous architect, was appointed to help Denham with his duties. Wren later took over Denham's role as King's Surveyor.
Denham was buried in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey, a special place for famous writers. He was survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth and Anne.
His Famous Works
Denham started his writing career with a play called The Sophy in 1641. However, he is best remembered for his poem, Cooper's Hill, written in 1642. This poem is considered one of the first examples in English of a poem that describes a specific place. It beautifully pictures the Thames Valley scenery around his home in Egham, Surrey. Denham wrote several versions of this poem over time, reflecting the changes and events of the Civil War.
Some literary experts believe that while Denham and his friend Edmund Waller were not the greatest poets, their work had a big impact on how poetry was written later on. They helped shape modern ways of writing verses and expressing ideas in poems.
