Andrew Marvell
(1621–1678)

Although seemingly easy and relaxed in style, Andrew Marvell was actually tough in poetry and politics. Beneath his graceful lyrics lie somber ideas and rigorous structures. Alongside his ready adaptability resided a firm attachment to his friends and beliefs.

Marvell was a son of a Puritan minister who was appointed to a church in Hull, a small town on the Humber River in Northern England. There, young Andrew remained until he entered Cambridge University at the age of 12. While at Cambridge, he wrote several poems in Greek and Latin that were published by the university in a volume dedicated to King Charles I. After his father's death, Marvell traveled in Europe, where he learned to speak several modern European languages.

During his stay in Europe, the English Parliament, dominated by Puritans, rebelled against the king. Upon first returning to England, Marvell established friendships with royalist supporters of Charles I. At this time, he wrote several verses commemorating these friends, among whom was the poet Richard Lovelace. Somewhat later, he was hired by Lord Fairfax, the commanding general of anti-royalist Parliamentary army, to teach his daughter foreign languages. Marvell held this position for about two years, at which time he may have written most of the poems for which he is now famous.

Several years after ceasing to teach Fairfax's daughter, Marvell became tutor to the ward of Oliver Cromwell, leader of the Puritan rebellion and ruler of England. Shortly afterward, Marvell served as unofficial court poet to Cromwell himself. Obviously capable, Marvell gained the attention and sponsorship of the great English poet John Milton, who was at the time Latin Secretary to Cromwell's Council of State. Several years later, Marvell became Milton's assistant. Throughout this period, Marvell wrote several political and commemorative poems.

In 1659, after Cromwell's death and shortly before the monarchy was restored, Marvell was elected the Member of Parliament from Hull. He was regularly returned to Parliament until his death, almost 20 years later. It is believed that while a member, he was mainly responsible for saving Milton from a long imprisonment and possible death sentence.

Marvell showed an extraordinary ability to adjust to the realities of his time. He also displayed, however, an equal firmness of principle. After the restoration of Charles II, Marvell wrote political satires and prose pamphlets attacking the abuses of the monarchy and defending democratic concepts.

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