A Marvell at 400

It's an anniversary that has just been and gone with, as far as I have seen, not too much recognition or reminiscence. 

That's a shame for someone who was beloved and respected by the people of Kingston Upon Hull as its Member or Parliament, a man of honesty and integrity in a corrupt world and one of the country's most under-rated metaphysical poets and satirists. 

Here is a bit of a potted history of Andrew Marvell at 400 years since his birth.

Born 31st March 1621 at Winestead near Withernsea, East Yorkshire

Educated at Hull Grammar School after moving to Hull where his father was a Minister and Schoolmaster

Age 13, attended Trinity College, Cambridge as a literary child genius

Age 18, obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree

His father drowned whilst attempting a boat crossing of the Humber from Hull to the South Bank

1642-47, embarked on Grand Tour of Europe where he met the poet John Milton

Actual travels unknown but acquired multiple languages

Thought to have had post in Constantinople at the English Embassy

1651, appointed personal tutor to daughter of Lord Fairfax, Nun Appleton, York

1653, secured by Oliver Cromwell as a tutor

1657, assistant to a blind John Milton 

1658, walked alongside Milton at Cromwell's funeral

1659, Member of Parliament for Kingston Upon Hull (until death in 1678)

He sat in the Third Protectorate, Convention and Cavalier Parliaments 

As MP for Hull he sent regular personal accounts of Parliamentary business to his electors

Honourable allowance given by people of Hull of 6 shillings and 8 pence a day to ensure attendance

Championed against corruption , the despotism of monarchy and persecution of Protestants

Defended John Milton against calls for Prosecution by Monarchists 

King Charles the Second attempted to bribe Marvell for royal favouritism. 

1660, written criticism of the pro-monarchist Archbishop of Canterbury

Throughout, Marvell was an Agent for Hull Trinity House shipping interests

1676, historical and political treatise against Catholicism and Absolutism

He was continually spied upon, bullied and harassed by Charles and his successor, James II

1678, died aged 58 from fever although suspected to have been poisoned by Jesuits.

Laid to rest in St Giles in the Fields, " The Poets Church", London

1681, "To His Coy Mistress" published although written between 1649 and 1660

Remembered as a true servant to Hull with the following memorial erected by public subscription;

Near this place lyeth the body of Andrew Marvell, Esq., a man so endowed by Nature, so improved by Education, Study, and Travel, so consummated by Experience, that, joining the peculiar graces of Wit and Learning, with a singular penetration and strength of judgment; and exercising all these in the whole course of his life, with an unutterable steadiness in the ways of Virtue, he became the ornament and example of his age, beloved by good men, feared by bad, admired by all, though imitated by few; and scarce paralleled by any. But a Tombstone can neither contain his character, nor is Marble necessary to transmit it to posterity; it is engraved in the minds of this generation, and will be always legible in his inimitable writings, nevertheless. He having served twenty years successfully in Parliament, and that with such Wisdom, Dexterity, and Courage, as becomes a true Patriot, the town of Kingston-upon-Hull, from whence he was deputed to that Assembly, lamenting in his death the public loss, have erected this Monument of their Grief and their Gratitude

Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)