Though Christopher Smart (1722 - 1771) was a respected poet and satirist who influenced more than a few other writers, he was better known during his lifetime for drunkenness and debt than for creativity. He distinguished himself as a Latin scholar during his school days, but instead of taking the academic path many anticipated for him, “Kit,” as he was known to his family and friends, made a career of writing and editing copy for various London magazines, and occasionally composed songs for local theatrical productions. He started writing poetry in college but didn’t publish a collection until he was thirty. Married and the father of two daughters by that time, Christopher ended up in an asylum a few years later when he developed a penchant for falling on his knees in public places to pray loud and earnest prayers. There was much debate among his friends and foes as to whether Christopher was truly “mad,” but everyone agrees that his best work was produced during those times of confinement, which continued throughout the latter half of his life. A man of great religious zeal even before his fits of prayer, Christopher had a deep affection for animals, particularly his cat, and for nature and gardening. All three of those passions are frequent themes in his poetry.