Sir Richard Steele
Sir Richard Steele (1672 - 1729) was a famous English essayist, born, the son of an attorney, in Dublin. He was educated as a foundationer at the Charterhouse and at Oxford. However, enamoured of a soldier's life, he got enlisted in 1694 as a cadet in the Life Guards. In the following year received an ensigncy in the Coldstream Guards, and continued in the army till 1706, by which time he had attained the rank of a captain.A good deal of literary work was done during his soldiering, notably "The Christian Hero" and several comedies. He was appointed in the Gazetteer 1707, and for some two years was in the private service of the Prince Consort, George of Denmark. He began in 1709 to issue the famous tri-weekly paper the Tatler, in which, with little assistance, he played the part of social and literary censor about town, couching his remarks in light and graceful essays, which constituted a fresh departure in literature. Largely aided by Addison, his old school companion, he developed this new form of essay in the Spectator and Guardian. He sat in Parliament as a zealous Whig, and in George I's reign was knighted and received various minor court appointments. He continued a busy writer of pamphlets, &c., but withal mismanaged his affairs, and died in Wales, secured from actual penury by the property of his second wife. As a writer shares with Addison the glory of the Queen Anne Essay, which in their hands did much to purify, elevate, and refine the mind and manners of the time.
Wisdom & Quotes
- There are no few who can grow old with a good grace.
- Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Edmond Hoyle