John Milton was a 17th-century English poet and intellectual, renowned for his epic poem "Paradise Lost," which explores themes of temptation, free will, and redemption. Born in London in 1608, Milton was a scholarly man who studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, and mastered multiple languages. His works span various genres and include notable poems, essays, and political writings. Milton's strong Puritan beliefs influenced his writing, especially during the English Civil War when he served as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell.