Sir Thomas Wyatt

Wyatt, Sir Thomas (15037–42), English poet of the early Renaissance. He and Henry Howard, earl of Surrey, translated and introduced Italian poetry and poetic forms to English literature. They are generally credited with having written the first sonnets in English. Wyatt, a lover of Anne Boleyn before her marriage, was known for his wit and charm in the court of King Henry VII, and served his country as a diplomat to the European continent. In addition to sonnets, he wrote lyrics for lute accompaniment, epigrams, and satires. His poems were first published in Tottel's Miscellany, a famous early Renaissance collection.

See also: Renaissance.