The Lady and the Poet

Lest the reader thinks The Lady and the Poet by Maeve Haran a slightly silly novel by the title, the Lady really was a titled Lady. The poet was John Donne, author of "no man is an island," etc.  Ann More was headed for a life at the court of Queen Elizabeth I and marriage to wealthy man. At age 14 Ann goes to live with her Aunt and Uncle. Her Uncle is high up in the government, the keeper of the Lord Privy seal. Donne was not considered a desirable suitor, being poor, Catholic and a poet. The couple does marry in defiance of her rich, influential family, who completely cut them off, financially and socially.

This enduring but unlikely love has given the world some of the most beautiful love poems ever written. Some
of Donne's poems are included in the novel. The Donnes remained married until Ann's passing. John Donne went on to become the Dean of Saint Paul's cathedral, London. He wrote a very short but clever phrase about their early marriage. "John Donne, Ann Donne, undone." Donne never remarried. The Lady and the Poet is British author Maeve Haran's first historical novel.