Jonathan Swift

born in Dublin, Ireland 30th November 1667

died ibidem 19th October 1745

Childhood and Education

Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin in 1667 as the son of Jonathan Swift the elder, an Englishman who left England and went to Ireland after the restoration of the Stuart line, and his wife Abigail. His childhood was a bit different from that of other children. The father had died in spring-time 1667, about half a year before Jonathan was born. So his mother Abigail had to turn to the brothers of Jonathan the elder for help in bringing up Jonathan and his sister. Even though the Swift family was in such a situation it was taken care of Jonathan's education. From 1673 to 1681 he went to Kilkenny Grammar School, which was at that time seen as the best Irish school available. Later (1682-1686) he studied translation and the interpretation of antique authors at Trinity College in Dublin. In 1692 he went to Oxford to achieve the Master of Arts as a precondition for a career in church.

Life

Working as a secretary first and later in ecclesiastical positions, Jonathan Swift was throughout his life deeply interested in literary writing. His first poems he is known to have written as early as 1691 and only one year later in 1692 his first work "Ode to the Athenian Society" was published. Apart from literature Swift showed also an immense interest in politics, first supporting the Whigs, later when his ideas and beliefs did no longer conform which their principles he changed sides. In this political context Swift is today especially known for writing "The Drapier's Letters" in 1724 taking the side of Ireland against the English government. In his time however Swift's authorship of this letters was not officially known, although the government put up the reward of 300 pounds to find him, Swift stayed anonymous.

Works

Here some of Jonathan Swift's works:

1692 Ode to the Athenian Society 1696-99 A Tale of a Tub 1701 A Discourse of the Contests and Dissensions Between the Nobles and Commons in Athens and Rome 1726 Gulliver's Travels

Last years

There are rumours that in his last years Swift developed a bad temper. Sometimes this is attributed to the Meniere's disease, which he had in his youth. Some time in the 1730s or early 1740s Swift had a stroke, which led in 1742 with the argument that he could no longer care for himself to his incapacitation. Swift died in 1745 and has been buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral.

References

1. http://www.biography.com/articles/Jonathan-Swift-9500342?part=0

2. Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. Ed. Claude Rawson and Ian Higgins. Oxford: OUP, 2005.

3. Real, Hermann J./ Vienken, Heinz J. Jonathan Swift: Gulliver's Travels. München: Wilhelm Fink Verlag, 1984.