Andrew Marvell

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Andrew Marvell (31 March 1621 – 16 August 1678)



Andrew Marvell is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 17th Century. Between 1650 and 1652 he worked for Thomas Lord Fairfax 3rd at Nun Appleton (near Bolton Percy) tutoring his daughter Mary. There he wrote the 97 verse long ‘Upon Appleton House, To My Lord Fairfax’. The poem touches upon many aspects of Marvell’s life: Fairfax’s career, political and social issues and revives the Renaissance debates between art and nature.



Whilst at Nun Appleton, Marvell accompanied the Fairfax family in their worship at All Saints', Bolton Percy. Henry Fairfax, the resident priest at that time was uncle to Lord Fairfax and he lived with them at Nun Appleton. Henry Fairfax is buried inside All Saints' alongside his wife Mary.

In 1653 Marvell became tutor to Oliver Cromwell's ward William Dutton. He was also a friend and colleague of the poet John Milton. In 1659 Marvell was elected MP for Kingston-Upon-Hull and there is a statue of him, made by William Day Keyworth Jr, which is located in the City Centre and was presented to the City by Councillor John Winship in 1867.



Marvell was born on 31st March 1621 in the village of Winestead in the East Riding of Yorkshire and died at the age of 57 on 16th August 1678 at his home in London. He was buried in St. Giles-in-the-Fields, central London, on 18th August 1678, Hull Corporation contributed to the funeral expenses and a memorial tablet.

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