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The blindness of John Milton

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Abstract

John Milton (1608–1674) often has been regarded as the greatest poet of his time, yet he did not compose his most famous work,Paradise Lost, until after he had become blind in both eyes. On the basis of clues in Milton's writings, several possible diagnoses have been advanced to explain his loss of vision. The evidence for and against each theory is presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, 55905, Rochester, MN, USA

    George B. Bartley

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  1. George B. Bartley
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Correspondence to George B. Bartley.

Additional information

Modified from Bartley GB: The blindness of John Milton. Mayo Clin Proc 1993; 68: 395–399. By permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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Bartley, G.B. The blindness of John Milton. Doc Ophthalmol 89, 15–28 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01203397

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01203397

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