John Wilmot

John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, was born in 1647 and died in 1680. He was a central figure in the hedonistic court of Charles II. His poetry employs wit, colloquial speech, and often obscene imagery to satirize the moral and intellectual pretensions of his era. Frequently, his personae adopt a skeptical or libertine stance, questioning reason, fidelity, and the possibility of human happiness. His verse ranges from biting satire to tender lyrics. Although most of his work circulated in manuscript, it influenced later development of English satire. Well-known poems include 'A Satyr Against Reason and Mankind' and 'The Imperfect Enjoyment'.