One of the few early female poets we know about, Sappho was born on a Greek island sometime between 630 and 612 BC. She came from an aristocratic family and married a wealthy merchant, so enjoyed the freedom to study and explore the arts at will. Although there was one period of time when political oppression caused her to flee her home, Sappho’s life was one of comfort and happiness. Her poems describe festivals, parades, celebrations, love, and the joy of friends; they were typically sung, or accompanied by music (usually played on a lyre). She was famous enough during her lifetime to see monuments erected in her honor, and her influence on poetry is undeniable. It is also possible that Sappho invented the pick—in which case, her impact on the world of music is equally significant!