John Milton (9 December 1608-8 November 1674) was an English poet, polemicist, man of letters, and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval, and is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, written in blank verse. Together with Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes, it confirms Milton's reputation as one of the greatest English poets.