Herbert's younger brother was Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels to Kings Charles I and II. Herbert's eldest brother Edward (who inherited his late father's estates and was ultimately created Baron Herbert of Cherbury) became a soldier, diplomat, historian, poet, and philosopher whose religious writings led to his reputation as the 'father of English deism'. Herbert and his siblings were then raised by his mother, who pressed for a good education for her children. As George's godfather, Donne stood in after Richard Herbert died when George was three years old. His mother was a patron and friend of clergyman and poet John Donne and other poets, writers and artists.

His father was a member of parliament, a justice of the peace, and later served for several years as custos rotulorum (keeper of the rolls) of Montgomeryshire. The Herbert family was wealthy and powerful in both national and local government, and George was descended from the same stock as the Earls of Pembroke. George Herbert was born 3 April 1593 in Montgomery, Montgomeryshire, Wales, the son of Richard Herbert (died 1596) and his wife Magdalen née Newport, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport (1511–1570). He was never a healthy man and died of consumption at age 39.īiography Early life and education Henry Vaughan called him 'a most glorious saint and seer'. He was noted for unfailing care for his parishioners, bringing the sacraments to them when they were ill and providing food and clothing for those in need. He gave up his secular ambitions in his mid-thirties and took holy orders in the Church of England, spending the rest of his life as the rector of the rural parish of Fugglestone St Peter, just outside Salisbury. Īfter the death of King James, Herbert renewed his interest in ordination.

He sat in the Parliament of England in 1624 and briefly in 1625. He went there with the intention of becoming a priest, but he became the University's Public Orator and attracted the attention of King James I. He received a good education that led to his admission to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1609. His poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognised as 'one of the foremost British devotional lyricists.' He was born in Wales into an artistic and wealthy family and largely raised in England. George Herbert (3 April 1593 – 1 March 1633) was an English poet, orator, and priest of the Church of England. Portrait by Robert White, 1674 ( National Portrait Gallery)

The temple sacred poems and private