John Donne: The Reformed Soul

John Donne: The Reformed Soul is a historical biography by John Stubbs. First published in 2006, the book tells the story of John Donne as he climbed the social ranks from rebellious outcast to clergyman. The book received nominations for the 2006 Guardian First Book Award and the 2006 Costa Book Award. Critics praise the book for its depth and ambition, and for how well it captures 16th and 17th century England. Stubbs is a popular historical writer. He studied English at Oxford and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge. John Donne: The Reformed Soul is his first book.

Donne was a celebrated 17th century English poet. He often wrote sexually explicit and crude poems. His early poems cover scenarios such as bribery, forbidden love affairs, defying parents, and sexual relationships. However, when Donne later joined the clergy, his poems centered around Christ, devotion, and the meaning of life.

The book is divided into three major sections. Each section covers a significant period in Donne’s life. The first section, “1572-1602,” examines his formative years, from birth to early adulthood. The section part, “1603-1616,” looks more closely at his married life. The final section, “1617-1631,” explores his devotion to Catholicism and his life as a clergyman.



In the first part, Stubbs highlights the role that religion played in Donne’s upbringing. His parents were Roman Catholics. They practiced their religion secretly, because Catholicism was illegal in England at the time. Although Donne was not a dedicated Catholic like his parents and extended family, his Catholic heritage affected him in many ways. It made it impossible for him to graduate from the University of Cambridge, and he often experienced discrimination. Unsurprisingly, Donne spent his early adulthood questioning his faith.

Donne rebelled against his upbringing by traveling across Europe, bedding women and mingling in various literary circles. He networked extensively and he refused to return to England and marry a suitable bride. His family expected him to marry for status, and Donne wouldn’t marry for anything less than love. While he stayed in Europe, he learned the art of diplomacy, and he planned on working for the government when he returned home.

Stubbs explains that, although Donne wanted a loving relationship, it wasn’t possible in the 17th century for middle-class people. Although his romantic tendencies influenced his writing and made him a popular poet, they also caused his downfall. Donne secretly married a woman called Anne More, and his family shunned him.



In the second section, Stubbs looks at the consequences of the illicit marriage. Donne spent time in prison for his crime, but he didn’t care because he loved Anne. However, when he was released, no one hired him, and he fell into poverty. He had many children, but three of them died young. Stubbs notes that Donne gave in to despair and melancholy after Anne died in childbirth, and he explores his feelings through writing depressing poems. The “17th Holy Sonnet” is an example of these poems.

When Anne died, Donne underwent a spiritual transformation. He dedicated his life to God and the Catholic Church. He reconciled with his mother and his poetry changed completely. He wrote lengthy poems about worshipping Christ, trusting in God, and repenting our sins. From the cradle to the grave, religion influenced Donne in various ways.

Stubbs claims that education played a significant role in how Donne approached religion, particularly Catholicism. He received a private education and learned how to think rationally. Most importantly, he believed that everyone, rich or poor, had an obligation to find God for themselves. It didn’t matter which faith they arrived at—only that they found God. Arguably, Donne spent most of his life questioning religion until he realized that Catholicism was the right path for him.



Donne had the wisdom, Stubbs notes, to realize that we don’t end life the same as we started. Everyone’s perspective changes once they experience life and learn about the world, which is why our political and religious beliefs evolve as we age. As a young man, Donne wanted to change the world. He had the reformist zeal, Stubbs explains, of many 17th-century activists. However, in his twilight years, Donne wanted nothing more than peace and reflection. Stubbs shows how the young Donne was nothing like the old—he was “reformed.”

In the book, Stubbs explains that we can read the title, John Donne: The Reformed Soul, in a few ways. Firstly, we can see Donne as a reformed character who found the God and truth he’d been searching for all along. On the other hand, we can view Donne as a re-formed man who threw away his wild youthful behavior and exchanged it for obedience.

Stubbs concludes that Donne was an independent, introverted man who dedicated his life to understanding the human condition. He desperately wanted to understand how to bring people together and unify everyone. He wanted to know what connected us, and for Donne, the answer was love. The theme of love underlies everything that Donne wrote.