These Poems by Anne Killigrew are thoughtful reflections on death, love, and the human condition in the pastoral form. Anne Killigrew (1660–1685) was an English poet and painter, described by contemporaries as "A Grace for beauty, and a Muse for wit." Excerpt: "THou Youngest Virgin-Daughter of the Skies, Made in the last Promotion of the Blest; Whose Palmes, newly plucked from Paradise, In spreading Branches more sublimely rise, Rich with Immortal Green above the rest: Whether adopted to some Neighbouring Star, Thou rolled above us, in thy wandering Race, Or, in Procession fixed and regular..."

The 17th century was a time of significant cultural and political change. The era saw the rise of exploration and travel, the growth of the scientific method, and the spread of challenges to conventional religion. Many of these developments occurred in England and North America, and literature of the period reflects the intellectual and emotional fervor of the age. This reference chronicles the lives and works of more than 75 British and American writers of the 17th century. Included are entries on such major canonical authors as Donne, Milton, and Jonson. The volume also covers the writings of such leading thinkers as Hobbes and Locke, along with the works of leading European figures like Galileo and Descartes. Also profiled are numerous significant women writers, including Mary Astell, Aphra Behn, and Anne Killigrew. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and includes a biography, a discussion of major works and themes, a survey of the writer's critical reception, and primary and secondary bibliographies. The volume additionally includes entries on several artists who significantly influenced British and American literary culture.