Michael Drayton was a prominent English poet of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, known for his prolific and diverse body of work. Born in Hartshill, Warwickshire, he developed a deep connection to his native landscape, which frequently featured in his writing. His most ambitious work is "Poly-Olbion," a monumental topographical poem describing the geography and history of England and Wales. Despite facing shifting literary tastes and inconsistent patronage, Drayton remained a dedicated and influential voice in English literature until his death in 1631.