John Milton was a towering figure in English literature, best known for his epic poem 'Paradise Lost.' He was a staunch supporter of the Commonwealth of England and served as a civil servant under Oliver Cromwell. His powerful prose and poetry defended civil and religious liberties, making him a controversial but influential figure in his time. Despite becoming completely blind in his later years, he composed some of his greatest works through dictation, solidifying his legacy as one of the most important writers in the English language.