John Clare, an English poet, achieved popularity  in 1820  with his first volume of verse,  but  was less successful with three other volumes.  1n 1836 he had a mental breakdown, and spent four years in an asylum in Epping.   Within a few months after his release, Clare's condition  grew  worse and he entered the St. Andrews Asylum  in  Northampton where he remained until  he died in 1864.  Clare continued writing during those years.   Much of his work was published after his death and  he regained popularity again in the twentieth century.