Christopher Smart

About

Christopher Smart (1722 – 1771) was an English poet, best known for his poem 'Jubilate Agno,' a work that reflects his deep religious sentiment and his troubled mental health. Born in the Yorkshire town of Shipley, he was educated at the University of Cambridge. Smart's poetry is characterized by its intense spirituality, intricate language, and a blend of admiration for nature and divine elements. His life was marked by periods of madness, and he was often confined to an asylum, which influenced much of his work. Despite his struggles, he remained committed to his faith and produced a unique and fervent body of work that was not widely appreciated in his lifetime but has gained recognition since. His writing style is noted for its use of rhyme and meter, often employing a lyrical and rhapsodic tone. Smart's influence can be seen on later poets, and he remains a notable figure in the landscape of English literature.