Relationship to myself: First cousin, eleven times removed.
Robert Herrick was born in Cheapside, London, in 1591. His father killed himself shortly after Robert's birth, and he was thereafter raised by his uncle, the goldsmith Sir William Herrick. By 1620, he had earned a B.A. and M.A. from Cambridge. He was appointed by the King to be vicar of Dean Prior, a small boring community in Devonshire.
His first writings appeared in 1635, and he continues to write until he was ejected by Puritans from his post in 1648. He moved back to London, and immediately thereafter, published his celebrated collection of poems Hesperides; or the Works both Human and Divine of Robert Herrick. He vigorously supported the King during England's Civil War.
In 1662, he returned to Dean Prior, retaking his old post of vicar, and died at 84, in 1674.
The Encyclopedia Britannica says about Herrick that "as a pastoral lyricist Herrick stands first among English poets." Charles Swinburne declared that Herrick was "the greatest song writer - as sure as Shakespeare is the greatest dramaturgist - ever born of English race."
The University of Toronto maintains a collection of about 20 Herrick poems.
Whenas in silks my Julia goes,
Then, then, (methinks) how sweetly flows
That liquefaction of her clothes.
Next, when I cast mine eyes, and see
That brave vibration each way free,
Oh, how that glittering taketh me!