A Ground Breaking New Study of the Life of Valentine Greatrakes Valentine Greatrakes was born in Ireland on Valentine's Day 1629. His parents were English settlers and of the landed class. Greatrakes was born into relative wealth and comfort. He served as an officer in a cavalry regiment during the Irish Wars, then retired to the life of a country gentleman. Sometime around 1662, a 'strange impulse or persuasion' took over his mind,...