Andrew Marvell was born on March 31, 1621 in Yorkshire, England. When he was three years old, Marvell’s family moved to the town of Hull so his father could work as a lecturer in Holy Trinity Church. He attended the Hull Grammar School and Trinity College in Cambridge, and by 1637, Marvell had published two poems, in Latin and Greek respectively. The following year, he received his bachelor of arts degree only days before his mother died. Shaken by the loss, Marvell continued with his studies but ended them permanently two years later when his father drowned in 1640.

Marvell’s life after Cambridge is characterized by much speculation, but it is likely that he worked for a family member or toured continental Europe at length. When he returned to England, Marvell… [Three years later, Marvell was elected to Parliament] … worked as a tutor to Mary Fairfax, the future Duchess of Fairfax, and wrote poetry rather prolifically. He befriended poet and essayist John Milton and was appointed to be his Latin secretary in 1657. Three years later, Marvell was elected to Parliament from his hometown of Hull and he served Oliver Cromwell’s commonwealth during the Restoration. He also tutored Cromwell’s nephew.

The majority of Marvell’s poetry was not published until after his death because, it is assumed, of the harshly critical and satirical tone the works broadcast. Critics have supposed that the views found in Marvell’s poetry would have brought him enemies from all political backgrounds. As Marvell held a high position in the government, he must have deliberately decided not to publish collections and preserve his employment. He traveled diplomatically several times, most notably to Holland and Russia. His career in Parliament and politics lasted almost two decades, ceasing only when Marvell died suddenly from a fever on August 16, 1678. Conspiracy theories have been contrived, claiming he was possibly poisoned by the objects of his poetic and prosaic satire. Marvell’s poetry was collected by his nephew and published in 1681, titled Miscellaneous Poems.