Joseph Addison Rank
About Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison was an English playwright, essayist, and politician who rose to prominence with "The Campaign" (1704), an epic narrative celebrating English military officer and statesman Marlborough's victory at the Battle of Blenheim. Lord Halifax commissioned the poem, and its popularity led to his appointment as undersecretary of state in 1705 and secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1709. From 1708 until his death, he was a Member of Parliament.
Family Life
He was born to Lancelot Addison, a reverend in Lichfield. He attended the Charterhouse boarding school, and then Oxford, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1691.
In 1716, he tied the knot with Charlotte, Dowager Countess of Warwick. He had previously served as the tutor of Charlotte’s son.
Career and Notable Works
His poem about the Battle of Blenheim earned him the position of commissioner of appeals in excise. In 1707, he was elected to parliament, and in 1709 was appointed secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. In 1710, he established the Whig Examiner to counter the Tory views of Jonathan Swift's “Examiner”.
In 1710, he began contributing to the “Tatler”, which was founded in 1709 by longtime friend Irish playwright and politician Richard Steele. He continued to write for periodicals such as the “Spectator” which he co-founded (1711-12, 14), and “The Guardian”.
His other notable work is “Cato” (1713), which was criticized as artificial and sentimental.
He was appointed Secretary of State for the Southern Department (now the Home Office) in 1717, but resigned the following year due to health reasons.
Death and Burial
The English statesman and author died on June 17, 1719, aged 47. He was buried in Westminster Abbey in London, England. He thus shares that honor with famous British poets such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen.
Trivia
Joseph Addison was rumored to have had an unhappy marriage.
His longtime friendship with Richard Steele ended due to the 1719 Peerage Bill. Addison supported the Bill, a move that was aimed at stopping the formation of new peerages (i.e. hereditary and lifetime titles) in the House of Lords.
Joseph Addison Rank
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F.A.Q. about Joseph Addison
When is his birthday?
Joseph Addison's birthday is on May 1, 1672.
In how many days is his birthday?
Joseph's birthday is in 35 days
How old was Joseph when he died?
He was 47 years old.
When did he die?
He died in June 17, 1719.
How old would he be today?
Joseph Addison would be 351 years old if he was alive today.
Where was Joseph from?
He was born in Milston, Wiltshire.