Christopher Smart

Christopher Smart, born on April 11, 1722, was a multifaceted English poet, writer, stage actor, composer, hymnwriter, children's writer, and editor. He made significant contributions to two prominent magazines of his time, The Midwife and The Student, and was well-acquainted with notable cultural figures such as Samuel Johnson and Henry Fielding. A high church Anglican, Smart garnered considerable recognition throughout London.

Smart's life was marked by controversy, particularly due to his pseudonymous identity as the midwife 'Mrs. Mary Midnight.' His struggles with mental health led to his confinement in a mental asylum, a decision made by his father-in-law, John Newbery, who cited Smart's supposed religious 'mania.' Despite his eventual release, the stigma of his past followed him, compounded by his financial troubles that resulted in his imprisonment for debt until his death.

Among his literary works, two stand out: A Song to David and Jubilate Agno. The latter was not published until 1939, long after Smart's passing, while the former received mixed reviews until the nineteenth century. During his lifetime, he was primarily recognized for his contributions to The Midwife and The Student, his Seaton Prize poems, and his mock epic, The Hilliad.

Although Smart is often celebrated as a religious poet, his body of work encompasses a variety of themes, including reflections on nature and the promotion of English nationalism. His legacy, though marred by personal struggles, remains significant in the landscape of English literature.