Who wrote the earliest known essay defending urn burial in the middle of the 17th century?

The earliest known essay defending urn burial in the middle of the 17th century was written by Sir Thomas Browne. His work titled "Urn Burial," first published in 1658, explores themes of death, memory, and the significance of burial practices. Browne's essay is notable for its philosophical considerations and his eloquent prose, as he reflects on mortality and the human experience regarding death.

His defense of urn burial is rooted in the idea that such practices can honor the deceased and provide a tangible connection to the memory of those who have passed. Browne uses this essay to argue for the propriety and poetic nature of this form of burial, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and the celebration of life through memorialization.

The other individuals mentioned are significant literary figures, but they did not specifically write essays on urn burial during that time period. While John Donne, for instance, often engaged with themes of death and spirituality in his poetry, he did not create the same focused treatise on burial practices as Browne did. This distinction is what establishes Browne's essay as the earliest known defense of urn burial.