The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser. In Eight Volumes. From the Text of Mr. Upton, &c. With the Life of Author. Volume 5

The poet who would become famous as the author of The Faerie Queene began his adult life at Pembroke College working as a sizar (a poor student who earned money for his tuition by working as a servant for wealthier students). By the time his poetry began to receive attention, Spenser had already made a name for himself in diplomatic circles through his work as an administrative official in Ireland.