Seething at the thought of losing Paradise

John Milton completed the epic masterpiece at this cottage in Chalfont St Giles 

Paradise Lost is widely regarded as one of the most influential poems ever

 written and it has been translated more than 300 times into 57 languages

Drive to save the 16th century cottage 

where Milton wrote his literary masterpiece

• John Milton completed masterpiece Paradise Lost at house 
• in Chalfont St Giles 
• It now holds the world's biggest collection of first and early
•  editions of his work

It was at this 16th century cottage in Buckinghamshire that 

John Milton completed his epic masterpiece Paradise Lost.

The house in Chalfont St Giles now holds the world's biggest 

collection of first and early editions of his work, as well as a 

lock of the writer's hair.  

But with 'money tight' since the financial crisis the trust running the

 cottage have warned it could dry up by the end of next year.

It has now launched a funding campaign - with the aim of raising

 £3.5million - to preserve the unique literary landmark for future generations.

John Milton completed the epic masterpiece at this cottage

in Chalfont St Giles 

Fleeing the outbreak of the Bubonic plague in London, Milton came

 to the house with his wife and daughters in 1665.

He lived there for only two years but during that time completed

 his most famous work and was inspired to write its

 sequel Paradise Regained.

In 1887 Queen Victoria lent her support to the Chalfont St Giles

 elders as they tried to prevent the cottage being transported

 to the US, where he was a major influence on the Founding 

Fathers and it has been open to the public as a museum ever since.

But with no permanent endowment the museum relies on the

generosity of Milton devotees, literature-lovers and libertarians

 to ensure its survival.

Amid warnings the trust would run out of money by the end of 

next year the Milton Cottage Trust has launched an

 endowment fund campaign called Paradise Maintain'd.

The house now holds the world's biggest collection of first and

early editions of his work

It hopes to raise £3.5million to secure the museum's future and preserve

 its collections. 

Simon Avery, Chair of the Trust, said: 'We can think of no better way

 to celebrate the 350 anniversary of the publication of Paradise Lost 

than to launch an appeal to preserve, in perpetuity, the place

 where it was completed. 

'This is a poem that changed the course of literary history and Milton's views on freedom of the press, divorce, education, religion and parliamentary democracy still resonate today.

'The income generated by the endowment will enable us to protect 

this unique literary landmark for future generations, as well as engage

 people with Milton's legacy in new ways.'

Paradise Lost is widely regarded as one of the most influential poems

 ever written and it has been translated more than 300 times

 into 57 languages.

Mr Avery pointed out that Milton is credited with inventing more

 English words than William Shakespeare, with 'outer space'

 and 'pandaemonium' both originating in Paradise Lost. 

To launch the campaign there will be an 11-hour recital of the

 10,000 lines of verse of Paradise Lost at the cottage this Sunday.