The word ‘pandemonium’ was coined by John Milton as the name for the capital of Hell in Paradise Lost. It means ‘all demons’. [1]
On 27 April in 1667, English poet John Milton sold the rights to his magnum opus, Paradise Lost, for £10. Regarded now as one of the greatest poets in the English language, Milton is a key figure in the literature of the 17th century.
Paradise Lost, tells the story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace and the temptation of Satan. The poem explores themes of sin, temptation, and redemption and is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature in the English language.
In London, England, in 1608, John Milton was born to a middle-class family. After studying classics, theology, and philosophy, he became a vocal advocate for parliamentary causes, writing political pamphlets, supporting divorce, the execution of King Charles I, and for his patron Oliver Cromwell’s commonwealth. When the Commonwealth was overthrown in 1660, Milton found himself in jail losing his position and property, only saved by the intervention of his friends.
By 1667 Milton had fallen on hard times and was struggling to support his family. Nearly 60 years old, blind, jobless, and impoverished, he began to dictate a poem he named Paradise Lost to his family. When it was ready for publication, he sold the copyright to London publisher, Samuel Simmons, for £5, plus £5 for the sale of each of three subsequent editions.
Once printed, the poem was immediately hailed as a masterpiece of the English language. In 1671, Milton wrote Paradise Regained, followed by Samson Agonistes. John Milton died in 1674.