John Milton was an English poet and intellectual renowned for his epic poem Paradise Lost, written in blank verse. His work reflects the tumultuous period of religious change and political upheaval during his lifetime. Milton's literary contributions extend beyond poetry; his Areopagitica (1644), a fervent defense of free speech and press, stands out as one of history's most influential essays.

Milton's innovation in the English language through the introduction of new words and his mastery of unrhymed verse have earned him the title of the "greatest English author" by biographer William Hayley. His significance in literary history remains profound, as he is often ranked with the greats of English literature. Despite the oscillation of critical reception over the centuries, particularly concerning his republicanism, poets such as William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Thomas Hardy revered him.

His life paralleled the major historical and political shifts of Stuart England. After studying at Christ's College, Cambridge, Milton traveled, wrote poetry, and emerged as a publicist during Charles I's autocratic rule. His political writings and actions, once deemed radical, eventually earned him a governmental role during the English Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. Despite his later impoverishment and marginalization, Milton's legacy as an intellectual remained influential across Europe.