Introduction

Biography

Joseph was the son of Lan­ce­lot Ad­di­son (some­time Dean of Lich­field and au­thor of De­vo­tion­al Po­ems), and hus­band of Char­lotte Myd­dle­ton Rich, the Dow­ag­er Coun­tess of War­wick (mar­ried 1716).

He at­tend­ed Char­ter­house and Mag­da­len College, Ox­ford (BA 1691, MA 1693). Al­though in­tend­ed for the Church, he stu­died law and po­li­tics, and soon at­tained, through pow­er­ful in­flu­ence, some im­port­ant posts.

He was suc­ces­sive­ly a Com­mis­sion­er of Ap­peals, Un­der Sec­re­ta­ry of State, Sec­re­ta­ry to the Lord Lieu­ten­ant of Ire­land, and Chief Sec­re­ta­ry for Ire­land.

Addison is best known for his con­tri­bu­tions to the news­pa­pers The Spec­ta­tor (where his hymns ap­peared), The Tat­ler, The Guard­ian, and The Free­hold­er.

Works

• Ca­to, a tra­ge­dy