John Clare (1793–1864) is celebrated as one of England’s finest rural poets, famed for capturing the beauty of the countryside and the voices of rural life with rare authenticity. Born in the village of Helpston, just outside Peterborough, Clare grew up in a labouring family and received only a basic education. Despite this, his gift for observation and language brought him national acclaim in the 1820s, with works like Poems Descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery.
Clare’s poetry reflects his deep connection to the fields, seasons, and wildlife of the Peterborough area, as well as his concern for the loss of traditional ways of life during a time of rapid change. Though he spent later years in relative obscurity and poor health, his work has since been recognised as a cornerstone of English literature. Today, Clare’s legacy is celebrated at the John Clare Cottage in Helpston, a lasting tribute to the “peasant poet” whose words continue to inspire lovers of nature and poetry around the world.