Biography of Joseph Addison

Intellectual State

1 may 1672 17 June 1719 Joseph Addison was born in Milston, Wiltshire, England, on day 1 may 1672. His father, Lancelot Addison, was Dean of Lichfield Cathedral. Young Joseph studied at Charterhouse school, where he first met Richard Steele, Irish writer and politician-future-which will establish a solid and long friendship, then continued his studies at Oxford. In 1693 dedicated a poem to John Dryden, poet laureate; his first work, published in 1694, is a book about the lives of the English poets. Also in 1964 Addison translates the georgics of Virgil. His diplomatic career began in 1699: traveling a lot all around Europe. During his travels he was able to write and studying politics. His poem "The Campaign", which celebrates the battle of Blenheim, won him a promotion: in 1705 becomes Undersecretary of State in the Government of Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax. In 1708 Joseph Addison becomes member of Parliament for Malmesbury: thereupon is posted in Ireland, where he met Jonathan Swift. Afterwards, will help establish the Kit-Cat Club renewing her friendship with Richard Steele. With the latter he founded the newspaper "The Spectator" in 1711, and began a second career as a playwright. Addison married in 1716 the Countess of Warwick. His political career know a period of splendor when he became Secretary of State from 1717 to 1718. His political newspaper, "The Freeholder", is however widely criticized: the poet Alexander Pope is one of many who mock Addison. In 1718 he imposed the resignation as Secretary of State because of his health; remain a member of Parliament until his death on 17 June 1719 in Kensington. Joseph Addison's body is buried in London, at Westminster Abbey.

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