Joseph Addison

1672 (Milston, England) – 1719 (London)

Addison is noteworthy for his extremely influential journalistic collaborations with Steele (a classic partnership of opposites: Addison quiet and scholarly, Steele noisily confident). He first met Swift in Ireland, and addressed a poem to Dryden, who became a friend. Leibniz was met in Berlin – Addison later wrote seeking a drawing of a bison. Tonson helped preside over the camaraderie that bound a notable literary gang together. Montagu wrote a criticism of his hit play ‘Cato’ that he asked her not to publish, though he adopted most improvements she suggested. Pope, a former friend (introduced by Steele), later satirised him.