Jonathan Swift

Houghton Lowell 1816.7.3 - Life of Jonathan Swift, p 8

Jonathan Swift, by Thomas Pooley

Jonathan Swift by Rupert Barber, 1745, National Portrait Gallery, London

Brass plate listing deans of Saint Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cathedral Swift bust

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St. Patrick's Cathedral Swift epitaph

Jonathan Swift (30 November 1667 – 19 October 1745) was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet, and cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Swift is best known for his satirical work, particularly Gulliver's Travels, and for his essays on various subjects. His writing was marked by a keen intelligence and wit, often employed to critique the politics and society of his time.

Early Life

Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667, just seven months after his father's death. His education was supported by his uncle, and he attended Kilkenny College and later, Trinity College, Dublin, where he received his B.A. in 1686. Swift's early life was marked by uncertainty and financial insecurity, which influenced his later views on politics and society.

Career

After leaving university, Swift worked for Sir William Temple, a retired diplomat, at Moor Park in England. It was here that he began his writing career, composing essays and engaging in the politics of the time. Swift returned to Ireland in 1694 and was ordained in the Church of Ireland, eventually becoming Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin in 1713.

Swift's most notable works include A Tale of a Tub, The Battle of the Books, A Modest Proposal, and Gulliver's Travels. A Modest Proposal, a satirical essay, proposed that the impoverished Irish might ease their economic troubles by selling their children as food to rich gentlemen and ladies. This work is a prime example of Swift's use of satire to address social and political issues.

Gulliver's Travels, perhaps Swift's most famous work, is a satirical novel that explores human nature through the voyages of its protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, to various fantastical lands. The novel critiques contemporary society and the nature of humanity.

Political Views

Swift was deeply involved in the politics of his time, particularly in relation to the status of Ireland under English rule. He was a staunch supporter of the Irish cause and wrote several pamphlets advocating for Irish economic independence and against the exploitation of Ireland by the English.

Legacy

Jonathan Swift's work has left a lasting impact on English literature and satire. His sharp wit and critical eye have influenced countless writers and satirists. Swift's ability to critique society and politics through his writing remains relevant today.

Swift passed away on 19 October 1745 and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. His epitaph, which he wrote himself, describes him as a person who fiercely defended human liberty against oppression.