Caedmon was an early English poet, known for his religious verses composed in Old English. He lived during the 7th century in a monastery in Northumbria, where he is said to have received divine inspiration to create poetry. His works are among the earliest examples of English literature. The most famous account of Caedmon comes from the writings of Bede, a monk and historian. In his work, Bede describes how Caedmon was initially an uneducated shepherd who, after a dream, began to compose hymns praising God. His contributions significantly influenced the development of Christian poetry in England.