Izaak Walton

Date of Birth: August 9, 1593

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 15, 1683

Biography

Izaak Walton was an English writer best known for his book “The Compleat Angler,” a celebration of the art and spirit of fishing in prose and verse. Born in Stafford, England, Walton’s early life details are sparse, but he moved to London where he worked as an ironmonger. His marriage to Rachel Floud, a descendant of Archbishop Cranmer, connected him to influential circles. Walton’s literary career blossomed primarily in his later years, influenced by his friendships with notable poets and writers of the time, such as John Donne and George Herbert. His most famous work, “The Compleat Angler,” first published in 1653, has been reprinted numerous times and remains a beloved classic in fishing literature. Walton also wrote biographies of his friends, including Donne, Herbert, and Richard Hooker, showcasing his talent for capturing the essence of their lives and works. He spent his later years in Winchester, living to the age of 90, a remarkable feat for his era.

5 Interesting Facts about Izaak Walton

1. Izaak Walton’s “The Compleat Angler” has never been out of print since its first publication in 1653.

2. Walton was also a biographer, writing the lives of notable figures such as John Donne and George Herbert.

3. Despite his literary success, Walton’s primary profession was an ironmonger in London.

4. He was a Royalist during the English Civil War and took refuge in the countryside during the Commonwealth period.

5. Walton was an avid fisherman, and his detailed observations in “The Compleat Angler” reflect his deep appreciation for nature.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Izaak Walton

1. “Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery element were made for wise men to contemplate and fools to pass by without consideration.”

2. “God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling.”

3. “Good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue.”

4. “The person that loses their conscience has nothing left worth keeping.”

5. “Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics that it can never be fully learnt.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The concept of net worth as understood today did not apply in Walton’s time, but he was relatively well-off, thanks to his successful career as an ironmonger and his prudent investments.

Children

Izaak Walton had two children with his first wife, Rachel Floud: a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Anne, who married Dr. William Hawkins. Walton’s second wife, Anne Ken, bore him no children.