Izaak Walton was an English author best known for his book, The Compleat Angler, which was first published in 1653. He was born in Staffordshire, England in 1593 and died in 1683. Walton is considered to be one of the most influential authors in the history of angling literature. His work has been widely read and admired by generations of anglers. Walton was also a close friend of the poet John Donne and wrote a biography of him. Walton's other works include The Lives of Donne, Wotton, Hooker, Herbert, and Sanderson, and The Life of George Herbert.