From "no man is an island" to "for whom the bell tolls" the razor sharp intellect of the poet John Donne produced some of English Lit's most lasting phrases.
Known as a rather licentious young charmer in King James' London, Donne was first famous for fairly direct love poetry, eloping with his wife and spending a stint in jail for his troubles before settling down and taking holy orders in 1615.
The young dabbler in popular love ballads surprised his friends by turning into a passionate preacher and a legendary Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral. Donne's life fulfills Christ's dictum: "I wish you were hot or cold, never lukewarm."