The Complete Works of George Herbert: Poet, Theologian, Preacher and Priest of the Church of England

by George Herbert

George Herbert's prose and poetry is united in this combined volume, illustrating in detail the inner conflict the author felt regarding the principles of his faith and belief in God. Coming of age during the early 17th century, Herbert demonstrated a great appetite for intellectual endeavors while still a boy. While still in his twenties, he mastered Greek and Latin and was elected to the post of Public Orator at Trinity College, Cambridge. His theological knowledge and scholarly ability distinguished him from many of his peers. Throughout his life, Herbert suffered with physical infirmity and was never blessed with a strong constitution. Herbert perished of tuberculosis at the age of only thirty-nine, a mere three years after becoming ordained as a priest. As a person, he was reported to be of a gentle and caring demeanor, often going to great lengths to make his parishioners and guests comfortable. Most significantly, George Herbert left behind a substantial body of unpublished written work.

Genres: Poetry

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2018

About the author

George Herbert (1593-1633) was a Welsh-born English poet and orator. Herbert's poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognized as "a pivotal figure: enormously popular, deeply and broadly influential, and arguably the most skillful and important British devotional lyricist."

Born into an artistic and wealthy family, Herbert received a good education that led to his admission in 1609 as a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, Herbert excelled in languages, rhetoric and music. He went to university with the intention of becoming a priest, but when eventually he became the University's Public Orator he attracted the attention of King James I and may well have seen himself as a future Secretary of State. In 1624 and briefly in 1625 he served in Parliament. Never a healthy man, he died of consumption at the early age of 39.

Reviews

[Aran Joseph]

Perennial Poetry

George Herbert lived in an era where innovation in doctrine was mostly held to be heresy; a fortiori was this true of the Anglican Church.

And so the reader should not be surprised to rarely find in his work a new idea. What is surprising is the skill with which Herbert expresses the doctrines of Christianity and the travails of the spiritual life in poetic form.

Whether it be an apt and original metaphor or a witty last line that upends the entire meaning of the poem, Herbert composed verse that will be perennial (or at least as long as English is spoken).

But his subject is exclusively the mysteries of the Christian faith; a creed which he seems to have lived exemplary. To all interested in perennial poetry on these themes, I strongly recommend the English verse of George Herbert.

[Karen]

Beautiful