Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller, c. 1703–1712 | |
| Born | 1 May 1672 Milston, Wiltshire, England |
| Died | 17 June 1719 (aged 47) Kensington, Middlesex, England |
| Education | The Queen's College, Oxford |
| Occupations |
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| Employer | Magdalen College, Oxford |
Political party | Whigs |
| Father | Lancelot Addison |
| Relatives | Gulston Addison (brother) |
| Writing career | |
| Language |
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| Period | from 1693 |
| Genres |
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| Notable work | Cato, a Tragedy |
Movement | Classicism |
| Member of Parliament for the borough of Lostwithiel | |
| In office 1708–1709 | |
| Secretary of State for the Southern Department | |
| In office 12 April 1717 – 14 March 1718 | |
| Signature | |
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Joseph Addison (1 May 1672 – 17 June 1719) was a British writer and politician. He was the eldest son of Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard Steele, with whom he founded The Spectator magazine. His simple prose style marked the end of the mannerisms and conventional classical images of the 17th century. Addison is also famous for his play Cato, a Tragedy, written in 1712.