Richard Steele

(b. March 12, 1672, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland – d. Sept. 1, 1729, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, Wales )

Gender: M

Richard Steele (1672-1729) was born in Dublin to a Protestant family. He was MP for Stockbridge in 1713 and Boroughbridge in 1715. He wrote several plays that were performed at Drury Lane Theatre. He founded the Tatler magazine in 1709, and when it was discontinued in March 1711, together with his schoolfriend Joseph Addison, he began publication of the Spectator, a daily paper, which continued until 6 December 1712; Addison contributed 274 essays out a total of 555, and Steele wrote 236. The Spectator exercised significant influence over the reading public, with women as a particular target audience. The issues were bound into volumes and continued to be read long after the newspaper had ceased publication; they were admired for their elegant and accessible writing style.

Also known as:

Richard Steele

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