Joseph Addison (1 May, 1672-17 June, 1719) was a British politician and writer, founder of The Spectator, a daily magazine featuring essays.
Fun Facts about Joseph Addison:
1. Joseph Addison was born in Milston, Wiltshire as the eldest son Lancelot Addison, an man of the cloth and a writer.
2. Lancelot Addison educated his children in London, and this is where Joseph first met Richard Steele, a friend and future business partner. He loved learning the classics and soon became a fellow of Magdalen College. In fact, he was so well versed in Latin, that originally, he was more famous for that than his writing in English.
3. His first major publication was the book An Account of the Greatest English Poets, was published in 1694.The same year his translation of Georgics by Virgil was published.
4. In 1711, Joseph Addison and his childhood friend Richard Steele started publishing The Spectator. Their goal as to “bring philosophy out of closets and libraries… to dwell in clubs and assemblies.” That made them the fathers of modern journalism.
5. Mr. Addison is also known for perfecting the style of writing that is both sophisticated and accessible for the growing Middle Class, as well as the inventor of the character sketch. Through his character of Sir Roger de Coverley, Mr. Addison pioneered the literary tool of commenting on real-world issues through fictional personas.
6. Joseph Addison’s essays were so influential that the luminaries such as Benjamin Franklin read and memorized them.
7. The Kit-Cat Club was an elite group of Whig politicians and writers who met in a tavern (where else?) to discuss politics and literature. Mr. Addison was a, founder and prominent member of the club.
8. For years he served as a Member of Parliament, and as Secretary of State for the Southern Department, a very important and prominent position.
9. In 1713 he published the play Cato, a Tragedy which became a huge hit and an allegory to for the struggle against tyranny. The play was performed for the Continental Army in Valley Forge, PA sponsored by none other than George Washington himself. The play inspired some famous quotes of the American Revolution and the Founders who saw Cato and the “ideal republican”.
-Nathan Hale’s “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”, was inspired by “What pity is it/That we can die but once to serve our country!” (Act IV, Scene 4).
– Patrick Henry “…give me liberty or give me death!” was inspired by “It is not now a time to talk of aught/But chains or conquest, liberty or death.” (Act II, Scene 4)
-The play’s “Tis not in mortals to command success, / But we’ll do more, Sempronius; we’ll deserve it.” (Act I, Scene 2) was quoted by many officers, including Benedict Arnold, as a way of saying that they cannot guarantee victory.
George Washington himself liked to quote “The soul, secured in her existence, smiles/At the drawn dagger, and defies its point.” in his letters to Martha as a way of projecting an image of calm, while facing an Empire.
10. Historians often cite Joseph Addison as the man who defined “good taste” in the 18th century, attempting to move the society he lived in from rowdy excess towards refined, polite culture. I think he would have been horrified by social media.
Zohar — Man of la Book
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
