John Donne was born in London in 1572 to a prominent Roman Catholic family, but converted the Anglicanism during the 1590s. After entering the University of Oxford aged 11 and the University of Cambridge at aged 14, during which time he took no degree examinations, he became a priest of the Anglican Church, attaining eminence as a preacher, delivering sermons that are regarded as the most brilliant and eloquent of his time. His poetry embraces both secular and religious subjects, and has earned him the distinction of one of Britain's most famous poets of all time and the quintessential Metaphysical poet of English literature.