Question

Who was John Donne’s maternal grandfather?

• A. John Heywood
• B. Thomas More
• C. William Shakespeare
• D. Christopher Marlowe

Answer 1

Answer:

A. John Heywood

• John Donne’s maternal grandfather was John Heywood, a notable Tudor-era poet and dramatist known for his plays, interludes, and witty proverbs. Donne's connection to such a literary figure suggests that poetry and intellectualism were part of his heritage.

• This background likely influenced his own literary development and his role in shaping metaphysical poetry.