Do you mean

[smoochie222]

Thoams Traherne

Thomas Traherne, last of the mystical poets of the Anglican clergy?

and don't forget it's John Greenleaf Whittier a Quaker Poet not Greenlead...

[bansaisequoia]

Do you mean

And who is this Les Brown?



The talk show host?



Or the bandleader?

(Or is it someone else entirely?)

[imported_figmo]

The former. There are quotes on his web site that match some of the puzzle quotes.