Biography Martin Madan

Poet Biography

Born: 5 October 1725, Bond Street, London, England (at the house of his maternal grandfather, Judge Spencer Cowper, MP).

Died: May 1, 1790, at his home in Woodcote End, Epsom, Surrey, England.

Buried: St. Mary Abbot’s Anglican Church, Kensington, England.

A cou­sin of 'Wil­liam Cow­per', Madan was educated at Christ Church, Oxford. Though he planned a career in law, he converted after hearing a sermon by John Wesley, “Pre­pare to Meet Thy God.” Af­ter some difficulties, he took Holy Orders, and subsequently founded and became chaplain of the Lock Hospi­tal, Hyde Park Corner, London. He was a popular preacher, and had a considerable reputation as a composer. He stopped preaching after publication of his work 'Thelyphthora', which advocated the practice of polygamy.