John Milton was born on December 9, 1608, in London, England. He came from a prosperous middle-class family. He attended St. Paul’s School, London, and then went on to study at Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he excelled in languages, literature, and rhetoric.

After completing his education, Milton delved into a prolific literary career. He wrote numerous poems, essays, and pamphlets on various topics. In 1643, he published a pamphlet titled “Areopagitica,” a passionate defense of freedom of the press.

Milton became involved in political and religious controversies of his time. He served as a civil servant in the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell, writing political tracts defending the Commonwealth government and its actions.

In 1652, Milton became completely blind, possibly due to glaucoma. Despite his blindness, he continued his literary work, dictating his writings to assistants. During this period, he composed his most famous work, the epic poem “Paradise Lost,” which was published in 1667. The poem tells the story of the Fall of Man, portraying Satan’s rebellion against God and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Milton faced political and legal challenges due to his association with the Commonwealth government. However, he was not executed or imprisoned, and he lived the remainder of his life in relative obscurity.

Milton died on November 8, 1674, in London, at the age of 66. Over time, his works, especially “Paradise Lost,” gained widespread acclaim for their poetic brilliance, deep philosophical themes, and exploration of fundamental human questions.

Milton’s influence on English literature and thought has been profound. His writings have inspired generations of poets, writers, and thinkers, and his ideas on freedom of speech and political governance remain relevant today.