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John Clare was born in the small English village of Helpston in His parents were peasants, and both of them were virtually illiterate.

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However, he did receive some formal education, and gained a love of literature from a young age. During his school days, he also met and became romantically involved with fellow student Mary Joyce. Though the two later went their separate ways, Clare wrote poetry to Mary for the rest of his life. While working as a laborer, he began to write his own poetry, and in he published his first book, Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery.

The book became an overnight success, going through four editions the year it was published, and receiving glowing reviews from critics. The book repeated many of the poetic forms used in Rural Life , but stuck to a narrower range of country themes. The Village Minstrel did not gain the runaway success of Rural Life , but it was nevertheless received favorably by reviewers, who saw Clare developing his own unique style.

In , Clare married Patty Turner, and set up house with her in Helpston. Their home became a popular destination for well-educated urban people with an interest in literature.