Edmund Spenser was born in London in 1552 or 1553. The Spenser household was working class, his father a tailor. Little is known about Spenser's family, although it appears he had a sister and a couple of brothers. As a child, Spenser attended the Merchant Taylor's Free School, where his education focused on the new humanist movement. Spenser received a bachelor's degree from Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1573 and a Master's degree in 1576. While at Cambridge, Spenser was a work study student, earning money to pay for his meals and lodging. After leaving Cambridge, Spenser worked as a secretary for the Bishop of Rochester, John Young. During this period, Spenser composed "The Shepheardes Calendar," which was printed in 1579. Also in 1579, Spenser went to work for the Earl of Leicester, where Spenser became acquainted with Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Edward Dyer, both of whom were part of the artistic...