Clare, John (1793-1864)

English poet. His work includes Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery (1820), The Village Minstrel (1821), The Shepherd's Calendar (1827), and The Rural Muse (1835). The dignified simplicity and truth of his descriptions of both landscape and emotions were rediscovered and appreciated in the 20th century.

Clare was born in Helpstone, near Peterborough, and spent most of his life in poverty. He was given an annuity by the duke of Exeter and other patrons, but had to turn to work on the land. He spent his last 20 years in Northampton asylum. His early life is described in his autobiographical writings, first published in 1931.