John Denham (poet)

John Denham (1615 – 1669) was an Anglo-Irish poet and courtier. He is best known for his topographical poem Cooper's Hill (1642), considered one of the first examples of its kind in English literature.

Denham was born in Dublin, Ireland, where his father, Sir John Denham, served as Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and later studied law at Lincoln's Inn.

During the English Civil War, Denham was a staunch Royalist, serving in the King's army. Following the Parliamentarian victory, he lived in exile in France and the Netherlands, acting as an agent for the exiled court.

After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Denham returned to England and was appointed Surveyor of the King's Works. Despite his administrative role, he continued to write poetry.

Denham's influence on English poetry is significant. Cooper's Hill established the conventions of topographical verse, influencing later poets such as Alexander Pope. His works are characterized by clarity, wit, and a focus on the English landscape. He helped bridge the gap between the Metaphysical poets and the Augustan age, moving towards a more restrained and rational style.