George Herbert, an English poet, fifth brother of the preceding, born at Montgomery castle, Wales, April 3, 1593, died at Bemerton, England, in February, 1632. He was educated at Westminster and at Trinity college, Cambridge, elected fellow of the college in 1615, and in 1619 public orator, which in those days was a great honor. King James, whose favor he had gained by an elegant letter to him in Latin, presented him with a sinecure office worth £120 a year. The death of two of his most powerful friends, the duke of Richmond and the marquis of Hamilton, soon followed by that of the king, induced him to take holy orders, and he was made by Bishop W'illiams prebendary of Leighton Bromswold, or Layton Ecclesia, in 1626. In 1630 Charles I. presented him with the living of Bemerton, near Salisbury, and here he remained till his death. As a pastor he was most exemplary and zealous, and he was generally known as " holy George Herbert." His verses are quaint and full of imagery, with many beautiful thoughts and holy precepts.

They are of the same school as those of Quarles and Donne. Herbert was the intimate friend of Sir Henry Wotton, Dr. Donne, and Lord Bacon. His principal works are: "The Temple, 'Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations " (Cambridge, 1631); " Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, etc." (London, 1640); "Quadripartit Devotions" 1647); "The Priest to the Temple, or the Character of a Country Parson " (1652); and "Remains," prose writings (1652). His life was written by Izaak Walton.