Letter from John Donne to Sir George More

John Donne (1572-1631)
Letter to Sir George More
March 1, 1602
Folger MS L.b.532

John Donne sent this passionate letter to Sir George More during one of the greatest crises of his life. Three weeks earlier, More had learned of Donne's secret marriage to his daughter Ann. Initially Donne was imprisoned, and More persuaded Donne's employer to dismiss him from his service. In this letter, Donne humbly importunes More for forgiveness, writing, "In all the world is not more true sorrow than in my heart." As a result, Donne and Ann More were reunited, but her father refused to contribute to her support. This letter is part of the most substantial and important body of letters by Donne known to survive.

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This page updated June 27, 2002