Why did John Donne secretly marry Anne More?

John Donne and Anne More married secretly in December 1601 because they were in love and knew that Anne’s father, Sir George More, would never grant his blessing for their union.1

At the time, Donne was serving as secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton, and Anne was the niece of Egerton’s wife. Because the marriage was conducted without her father's consent, the consequences were severe: Sir George had Donne briefly imprisoned, caused him to be dismissed from his position with Egerton, and withheld Anne’s dowry. These actions effectively destroyed Donne’s prospects for a career in public service, leaving him to struggle with poverty and financial dependence for the next decade.1