Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) was a celebrated English essayist, poet, dramatist and politician. He was pre-eminent among English writers for the purity and elegance of his style, noted for a simple unornamented prose style which had an abiding, refining, and elevating influence on the English literature.

He studied at Oxford and became Fellow of Magdalen. He was a Whig in politics who held a succession of Government appointments, resigned the last for a large pension.

His name is associated with the Tatler, Spectator, and Guardian, as well as with a number of beautiful hymns. He founded the Spectator with Sir Richard Steele in 1711.

Wisdom & Quotes

• I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

- Nathan Hale, before being hanged as a spy, September 22, 1776

• What a pity is it

That we can die but once to serve our country.
- Cato (1713)

• Those marriages generally abound most with love and constancy that are preceded by a long courtship.

- The Spectator, December 29, 1711

• Music, the greatest good that mortals know,

And all of heaven we have here below.
- A Song for St Cecilia's Day

• A cloudy day, or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most real blessings or misfortunes.

- The Spectator, no. 162

• The hours of a wise man are lengthened by his ideas.

- The Spectator, June 18, 1711

Sir Richard Steele