2. John Milton
1608 – 1674
As the author of one of the most famous literary work written on English language, John Milton is a well-known figure throughout the world. He was also very successful politician during the reign of Oliver Cromwell. A little less known is the fact that he created Paradise Lost while being completely blind. He lost his eyesight in 1654 and was forced to dictate more than 10,000 lines of verse of his most successful work. Unfortunately, he never saw or read his masterpiece with his own eyes.
