Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury (1583-1648), English diplomat, poet and philosopher. Herbert was born at Wroxeter in Shropshire, eastern England. He was tutored at home then attended University College, Oxford. He made an early tour of Europe during which he wrote poetry and earned the friendship of Ben Johnson and John Donne. He volunteered in the army of the Prince of Orange for seven years, then returned to England. From 1617 he was appointed ambassador to Paris. His writings include De Veritate (On Truth), a combination of psychology, a study of the methodology of truth and a discussion of natural religion. The book is thought of as the first English metaphysical text. This portrait, after an original oil painting, was first published in 1826.