Henry Vaughan, the Welsh metaphysical poet and physician, was born on April 17, 1621, in Wales. He was the twin brother of Thomas Vaughan, who was also a poet and alchemist. Henry Vaughan came from a relatively well-off family. During his early years, Henry Vaughan attended Jesus College, Oxford, where he would have been exposed to a curriculum that included the study of Latin and Greek literature. This classical education provided him with a strong foundation in language and literature, which is evident in his later poetic works.
Later Henry Vaughan pursued the study of law in London. He was recalled home from London during the English Civil War. He was appointed as a secretary to Sir Marmaduke Lloyd, who was a prominent royalist and the chief justice. The English Civil War was a complex and tumultuous period in English history, characterized by conflict between the royalist supporters of King Charles I and the parliamentarian forces. The Vaughans were known to be royalists, and they supported the king in this conflict.
It is interesting to note that Henry Vaughan had a connection to the Herbert family through his ancestry, particularly through the daughter of the famous Welsh knight Dafydd Gam. Dafydd Gam is historically known as a Welsh warrior who fought at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and he is referred to as “Davy Gam, esquire” in William Shakespeare’s play Henry V.
George Herbert, a renowned metaphysical poet and clergyman, came from the same region of Wales, and both poets shared similar themes in their works, particularly their religious and spiritual poetry. Although it’s not well-documented in historical records, the connection between Henry Vaughan and the Herbert family is another intriguing aspect of the literary and historical context of their time.
By 1646, he had married Catherine Wise and had a son named Thomas, and three daughters named Lucy, Frances, and Catherine. His courtship and love for his first wife, Catherine, are evident in his poem Upon the Priory Grove, which is included in his first volume of poetry, “Poems, with the Tenth Satire of Juvenal Englished,” published in 1646.
Henry Vaughan, known for his deep connection to his native Welsh environment, chose the descriptive name “Silurist” as a reflection of his homage to the Silures, a Celtic tribe that inhabited pre-Roman South Wales. The Silures were known for their resistance against Roman occupation.
In 1647, Vaughan, along with his wife and children, chose to live in the countryside, which allowed him to be in closer contact with the natural surroundings that inspired his work. It was in this rural setting that he wrote his collection of poems titled Olor Iscanus (The Swan of Usk). However, these poems were not published until 1651. Vaughan’s literary inspiration was deeply rooted in the landscapes and nature of his homeland, particularly the Welsh mountains and the River Usk valley.
Henry Vaughan’s significant acclaim as a poet came with the writing and publication of Silex Scintillans. The period leading up to the publication of the first volume of this work in 1650 marked an important phase in his life and career as a poet.
During the period around 1650, he adopted the saying Moriendo, revixi. This Latin phrase can be translated as “By dying, I gain new life.” It signifies a profound transformation or spiritual awakening, which was a central theme in many of his poems. Vaughan’s works often explore the idea of death and rebirth, the soul’s journey, and the renewal of the spirit, making this saying a fitting representation of his evolving poetic and philosophical outlook.
Around 1655 after the death of his first wife, Catherine, Henry Vaughan married her sister, Elizabeth. Henry Vaughan’s literary output extended beyond his poetry, and he also wrote prose works and translations: The Mount of Olives, or Solitary Devotions (1652) and Flores Solitudinis (1654).
In addition to his literary pursuits, Henry Vaughan was a medical physician. He practiced medicine, possibly as early as the 1640s. His second volume of Silex Scintillans from 1655 included a translation of Henry Nollius’s work, Hermetical Physick. Vaughan continued his engagement with medical and alchemical subjects by translating Nollius’s The Chymists Key in 1657.
Alliteration, a poetic device that involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sequence of words, is a notable feature in Henry Vaughan’s poetry. This use of alliteration sets Vaughan apart from many of his English contemporaries. The Water-fall is an excellent example of his skillful use of alliteration.
Vaughan found inspiration in Herbert’s works, and Herbert’s writings played a crucial role in shaping Vaughan’s own spiritual and poetic journey. Both Herbert and Vaughan are recognized as prominent metaphysical poets who share similar themes, experiences, and spiritual beliefs in their poetry. Vaughan’s Silex Scintillans is often grouped with Herbert’s The Temple because it explores analogous religious and spiritual themes. The influence of Herbert is evident in the structure, spiritual depth, and the use of religious and metaphysical imagery in Vaughan’s poetry.
While some critics may consider Vaughan as divine to be inferior to George Herbert, there is a consensus among many that Vaughan’s poetry exhibits a unique and distinct poetic prowess. Some critics even argue that as a poet, Vaughan may surpass Herbert in certain aspects. Vaughan’s use of literary elements such as monosyllables, and alliterations, and his ability to engage and compel the reader have earned him praise. Some critics even rate him “more than the equal of George Herbert” in terms of poetic artistry and craftsmanship.
Henry Vaughan, while not acclaimed as widely during his lifetime, has received greater recognition and appreciation after his death. He passed away on April 23, 1695, at the age of 74. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Bride’s in Llansantffraed, Powys, where he had spent most of his life. His final resting place has become a destination for poetry enthusiasts and has inspired other poets, including Siegfried Sassoon, Roland Mathias, and Brian Morris.
Vaughan is recognized not only for his poetry but also for his ability to write graceful and effective prose. His influence extends to later poets, including notable figures like William Wordsworth, Lord Alfred Tennyson, and Siegfried Sassoon. The American science fiction writer Philip K. Dick also named Vaughan as a key influence. Vaughan’s work left a lasting impact on the world of poetry, and his themes and literary style continued to resonate with poets from different eras and literary traditions.
Notable Works:
- Poems, with the Tenth Satire of Juvenal Englished (1646), includes a translation of a Satire by the Latin poet Juvenal.
- Olor Iscanus also known as The Swan of Usk (1647, published 1651)
- Silex Scintillans (1650 and 1655)
- Mount of Olives, or Solitary Devotions (1652)
- Flores Solitudinis (1654)
- Hermetical Physics (1655), translated from the Latin of Henry Nollius
- The Chymists Key (1657), translated from the Latin of Henry Nollius
- Thalia Rediviva (1678), a joint collection of poetry with his brother Thomas Vaughan, after Thomas’s death.
- Henry Vaughan’s personal experiences of loss and grief are indeed reflected in some of his most well-known poems. The World, They Are All Gone into the World of Light, The Retreat.