Robert Herrick’s father, Nicholas Herrick, was a wealthy goldsmith who allegedly committed suicide before Robert Herrick reached the age of two. In 1607, Herrick served as apprentice to his uncle, Sir William Herrick, who was jeweler to the king, but did not aspire to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. Instead, Herrick studied at St. John’s College, Cambridge and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, both noted for their religious atmosphere. And by 1627, he took religious orders and served as chaplain to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (1592- 1628) during his ill-fated expedition to La Rochelle in aid of the Huguenots.

In 1630, Herrick was made a vicar of Dean Prior, an Anglican country parsonage in Devonshire. Due to his Royalist sympathies, Herrick lost that position in 1647 during the Civil War. Until the Restoration of Charles II, Herrick lived in Westminster, completing his collected poems, Hesperides; or the Works Both Human and Divine of Robert Herrick, Esq. (1648). After the Restoration, he regained his position as vicar, holding it until his death.

Considered one of the Cavalier Poets—who opposed the uniqueness, nonconformity, and scientific bent of the metaphysical poets—Herrick was a self professed son of Ben (Jonson). As such, he was learned in the classics, particularly classic Roman poetry by Horace (65 – 8 BCE), Martial (c. 38 – c. 102 CE), and Ovid (43 BC – c. 17 CE), among others. Alongside his Christian orthodoxy stood Herrick’s love of mythology and pagan rituals. His poetry is notable for its variety in form and style, for its interest in innovation and experimentation, and for the exceptional musicality of his lyrics. Even as his “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” insists on death’s ending all our tomorrows, its rhythm and beauty make the flower that keeps us smiling.