Joseph Addison

 NAME: Joseph Addison

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Writing essays, poems, plays and political pamphlets; founding The Spectator magazine; holding important government posts under the Whig party.

BIRTH: He was born on May 1, 1672 in Milston, Wiltshire, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: He was the eldest son of Lancelot Addison, a scholarly clergyman who later became the dean of Lichfield. His mother was Jane Gulston, the daughter of a wealthy merchant.

CHILDHOOD: He spent his early years in Milston and later moved to the cathedral close of Lichfield with his family. Joseph showed an early talent for writing and learning languages.

EDUCATION: He was educated at Charterhouse School in London, where he met his lifelong friend Richard Steele. Addison then went to Oxford University, where he studied classics at Queen's College and Magdalen College. He won several prizes for his Latin poetry and became a fellow of Magdalen College in 1697.

CAREER RECORD: Addison began his career as a writer in 1694, when he published a book of biographies of English poets. He also wrote a poem dedicated to John Dryden, the leading poet of the time. 

In 1699, Addison received a pension from the government to travel in Europe and prepare for a diplomatic career. He wrote a poetic epistle about his travels in Italy, which was published in 1704. He also wrote a prose account of his observations in Italy, which was published in 1705.

In 1704, Addison wrote a commemorative poem about the Battle of Blenheim, which won him the favour of the Whig leaders. He was appointed as a commissioner of appeals and later as an under-secretary of state. He also served as a member of parliament for several constituencies. In 1717, he became the secretary of state for the southern department, but resigned in 1718 due to ill health.

APPEARANCE: Addison was described as having a fair complexion, brown hair, blue eyes and a pleasant countenance. He was of medium height and slender build.

Joseph Addison by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

FASHION: He dressed modestly and neatly, avoiding ostentation and extravagance. Addison preferred plain colours and simple fabrics.

CHARACTER: Addison was admired for his wit, elegance, generosity and modesty. He was also known for his courtesy, kindness and benevolence. He avoided controversy and conflict, preferring harmony and moderation. He was a devout Anglican and a loyal subject of the crown.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Addison had a refined and subtle sense of humour, which he displayed in his essays and conversations. He often used irony, satire and parody to expose the follies and vices of his age. He also enjoyed jokes and anecdotes that illustrated human nature.

RELATIONSHIPS: Addison had many friends and acquaintances among the literary and political circles of his time. His most intimate friend was Richard Steele, with whom he collaborated on several periodicals, including The Tatler and The Spectator. They shared similar views on literature, politics and morality, but also had occasional disagreements and quarrels. He also had friendly relations with other writers such as Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift and John Gay. 

Addison married Charlotte Rich, the widow of Edward Rich, 6th Earl of Warwick, in 1716. They had one daughter, Charlotte Addison (1718–1797).

MONEY AND FAME: Addison earned a considerable income from his writings and his government posts. He also inherited a large estate from his uncle in 1708. 

Addison was widely celebrated as one of the most eminent writers and statesmen of his time. His works were praised by critics and readers alike. His fame spread beyond England to other parts of Europe and America.

FOOD AND DRINK: Addison was fond of good food and wine, but not to excess. He enjoyed coffee houses as places of social interaction and intellectual exchange. He also liked tea and chocolate.

MUSIC AND ARTS: He appreciated music and arts as sources of pleasure and refinement. Addison admired classical music, especially Italian opera. He also enjoyed painting, sculpture and architecture.

LITERATURE: Addison was well versed in classical literature, especially Latin poetry. He also read widely in modern literature, especially French and Italian works. He wrote essays on various literary topics such as criticism, history, biography, mythology and allegory.

NATURE: He loved nature as a manifestation of God's wisdom and beauty. Addison wrote poems on natural themes such as seasons, flowers, birds and insects. He also observed nature with curiosity and admiration.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Addison had few hobbies and sports, as he devoted most of his time to writing and public affairs. He occasionally played chess and cards. He also liked riding and walking.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: addison had little interest in science and maths, as he preferred the humanities and arts. He was sceptical of the new discoveries and inventions of his time, such as the Newtonian physics and the microscope. He also mocked the pretensions and pedantry of some scientists and mathematicians.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Addison was influenced by the rationalist philosophy of John Locke and the moral philosophy of Samuel Clarke. He believed in the existence of God, the immortality of the soul and the natural law. 

Joseph Addison was a devout Christian, who  defended the Anglican church against the attacks of deists, atheists and dissenters.

SCANDAL: Addison avoided scandal and gossip, as he valued his reputation and honour. He was never involved in any serious personal or political scandal. He also refrained from scandalizing others, except in his satirical writings.

MILITARY RECORD: Addison never served in the army or fought in any war. He was a supporter of peace and diplomacy, rather than war and violence.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Addison had a weak constitution and suffered from various ailments throughout his life. He was especially troubled by asthma, which often affected his breathing and speech. He also contracted dropsy in his later years, which caused swelling in his legs and abdomen.

HOMES: Addison lived in several places during his life, depending on his circumstances and preferences. He spent his childhood in Milston and Lichfield. He lived in Oxford while he was a student and a fellow and resided in London when he was a writer and a politician. He also owned a country house in Bilton, Warwickshire, where he spent some of his leisure time.

TRAVEL: Addison travelled widely in Europe between 1699 and 1704, visiting France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Holland. He also travelled within England and Scotland on several occasions for personal or professional reasons.

DEATH: He died on June 17, 1719 at Holland House in Kensington, London. aged 47 years old. As he lay dying he didn't pray for himself, but for his stepson, the Earl of Warwick, who wasn't a believer. Addison asked the young dissolute earl to come to his bedside, and when he arrived he mumbled in a gentle way to him, "See in what peace a Christian can die!" 

Addison was buried in Westminster Abbey, near the grave of John Dryden.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: His life and works have been portrayed in various media forms, such as books, plays, films and television shows. Some examples are:

The Historical Register for the Year 1736 (1737), a satirical play by Henry Fielding that features Addison as a character.

The Young Mr Pitt (1942), a film by Carol Reed that features Addison as a minor character played by Herbert Lomas.

The Spectator Bird (1976), a novel by Wallace Stegner that uses excerpts from Addison's essays as epigraphs.

Joseph Addison (2004), an episode of the BBC radio series Great Lives that discusses Addison's life and legacy.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Some of his main achievements are:

Writing influential essays on various topics such as literature, politics, society, religion, manners and morals.

Founding The Spectator magazine with Richard Steele, which set a new standard for periodical writing and influenced many later writers.

Writing successful poems on themes such as patriotism, religion, nature and love.

Writing popular plays such as Cato (1713), a tragedy about the Roman statesman Cato the Younger; The Drummer (1716), a comedy about a ghost; Rosamond (1707), an opera about the mistress of Henry II; and The Tender Husband (1705), a comedy co-written with Steele.

Holding important government posts such as under-secretary of state, secretary of state for the southern department and member of parliament.

 Being one of the leading figures of the Whig party and supporting the Hanoverian succession to the throne.

Being one of the most celebrated writers and statesmen of his time and earning the admiration of his contemporaries and posterity.