George Herbert

George Herbert was a 17th-century Welsh poet, orator, and priest, whose work beautifully intertwines spirituality with the intricacies of human emotion. Born on April 3, 1593, in Montgomery, Wales, Herbert was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. His early life was marked by a deep devotion to religion, which ultimately guided him to become a priest in the Church of England. His poetry reflects his profound faith, often exploring themes of devotion, grace, and the relationship between the divine and the ordinary.

Herbert is perhaps best known for his collection of poems entitled "The Temple," which showcases his mastery of language and form. His innovative use of imagery and structure invites readers to contemplate their own spiritual journeys. If you're curious about how Herbert's poetic voice resonates through the ages, take a moment to explore his works in the app. You'll find that his reflections on faith and life continue to inspire and provoke thought in readers today.

From The Temple

Read by Kirsten Ferreri


George Herbert



George Herbert was a country minister and a protégé of the great metaphysical poet John Donne. In From The Temple, Herbert com…

Selection from The Temple

Read by David Barnes


George Herbert



George Herbert (April 3, 1593 – March 1, 1633) was a Welsh poet, orator and a priest. Throughout his life he wrote religious poems character…

The Country Parson: His Character and Rule of Life

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George Herbert



George Herbert was an English poet, orator, and priest. In The Country Parson he describes the roles of the priest and offers practice advic…

Selected Poems

Read by Thomas A. Copeland


George Herbert



These poems, from Herbert’s book The Temple, show the evolution of a soul’s relationship with God. Sudden reversals of mood are common, for …

The Pulley

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George Herbert



LibriVox volunteers bring you 11 different recordings of The Pulley by George Herbert. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of Ju…

The Temple

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George Herbert



George Herbert was one of the so-called Metaphysical Poets, along with John Donne and Andrew Marvel, and The Temple: Sacred Poems and Privat…

The Church Militant (The Temple Part 3) and Other Poems

Read by Alan Mapstone


George Herbert



George Herbert was an English poet, orator and cleric who was Public Orator at the University of Cambridge before becoming a rural Parish Mi…