On This Day
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English Poet and preacher John Donne is made Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in London aged 49

John Donne ( DUN; 1571 or 1572 – 31 March 1631) was an English poet, scholar, soldier and secretary born into a recusant family, who later became a cleric in the Church of England.

John Donne ( DUN; 1571 or 1572 – 31 March 1631) was an English poet, scholar, soldier and secretary born into a recusant family, who later became a cleric in the Church of England. Under royal patronage, he was made Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London (1621–1631). He is considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His poetical works are noted for their metaphorical and sensual style and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs and satires. He is also known for his sermons.

Donne's style is characterised by abrupt openings and various paradoxes, ironies and dislocations.

Historical Significance

John Donne ( DUN; 1571 or 1572 – 31 March 1631) was an English poet, scholar, soldier and secretary born into a recusant family, who later became a cleric in the Church of England.

Events Before

  1. Pilgrim Fathers depart Leiden, Netherlands, for England on their way to America

    Pilgrim Fathers depart Leiden, Netherlands, for England on their way to America

  2. The Mayflower sets sail from Southampton, England, with 102 Pilgrims bound for the New World

    Mayflower was an English square-rigged merchant sailing ship, active from before 1609 until 1622. Her tonnage was 180+, and she was 110 feet long and 25 feet in the beam, with several decks.

  3. The Mayflower departs Plymouth, England, with 102 Pilgrims and about 30 crew for the New World [O.S. Sep 6]

    The Mayflower departs Plymouth, England, with 102 Pilgrims and about 30 crew for the New World [O.S. Sep 6]

  4. Great Patent granted to Plymouth Colony

    The Pilgrims, also known as the Pilgrim Fathers, were the English settlers who travelled to North America on the ship Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony at what now is Plymouth,...

  5. Mayflower Compact is signed by Pilgrims at Cape Cod, establishing the first framework of government in the territory tha

    Mayflower Compact is signed by Pilgrims at Cape Cod, establishing the first framework of government in the territory that is now the USA [N.S. Nov 21]

Events After

  1. Papal Chancery adopts January 1 as the beginning of the year (previously March 25)

    Papal Chancery adopts January 1 as the beginning of the year (previously March 25)

  2. First American Indian (Powhatan) massacre of Europeans around Jamestown, Virginia, 347 killed

    First American Indian (Powhatan) massacre of Europeans around Jamestown, Virginia, 347 killed

  3. Pope Gregory XV forms Congregatio the Propagande Fide

    The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP; Latin: Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione) was a congregation of the Roman Curia of the Catholic Church in Rome, responsible for...

  4. Germany & Transylvania sign Peace of Nikolsburg

    Germany & Transylvania sign Peace of Nikolsburg

  5. English East India Company forces capture the Portuguese fort on the island of Hormus in the Persian Gulf, an important

    English East India Company forces capture the Portuguese fort on the island of Hormus in the Persian Gulf, an important trading center on the route to Mughal India

More from the 1620s

Papal Chancery adopts January 1 as the beginning of the year (previously March 25)

Papal Chancery adopts January 1 as the beginning of the year (previously March 25)

First American Indian (Powhatan) massacre of Europeans around Jamestown, Virginia, 347 killed

First American Indian (Powhatan) massacre of Europeans around Jamestown, Virginia, 347 killed

Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland ascends the English throne

Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland ascends the English throne

Viceroy Frederick Henry marries Amalia countess von Solms-Braunfels

Viceroy Frederick Henry marries Amalia countess von Solms-Braunfels

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 22, 1621?
John Donne ( DUN; 1571 or 1572 – 31 March 1631) was an English poet, scholar, soldier and secretary born into a recusant family, who later became a cleric in the Church of England. Under royal patronage, he was made Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London (1621–1631). He is considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets.
Why is English Poet and preacher John Donne is made Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in L... significant?
John Donne ( DUN; 1571 or 1572 – 31 March 1631) was an English poet, scholar, soldier and secretary born into a recusant family, who later became a cleric in the Church of England.

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November 22 in HistoryYear 1621