Robert Southwell Quotes

A collection of quotes by Robert Southwell.

Robert Southwell (c. 1561 – 1595) was an English poet, Jesuit priest, and martyr. He was born in Norfolk, England, to a distinguished Catholic family during a period of intense religious conflict in England. Southwell's father had secret Catholic sympathies, and Southwell himself converted to Catholicism at a young age.

After studying at Jesuit colleges in Rome and Douai, Southwell was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1584. He returned to England clandestinely, serving as a missionary during a time when Catholicism was persecuted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Southwell's clandestine activities eventually led to his arrest in 1592.

During his imprisonment, Southwell continued to write and his poetry gained recognition for its religious themes and lyrical style. Some of his most notable works include "The Burning Babe" and "Mary Magdalene's Funeral Tears." Many of his poems were circulated in manuscript form and became widely read, even inspiring the likes of the metaphysical poet John Donne.

After years of imprisonment and torture, Robert Southwell was finally executed on February 21, 1595. His dedication to his faith and his poetic talent established him as one of the most prominent figures of English Catholicism during a time of great persecution. Southwell's poems, which explore themes of suffering, grace, and salvation, reflected his own experiences and left a lasting impact on English literature.