Swift The Man His Works And The Age

First published in 1983, Dean Swift is the concluding book in a series of three volumes providing a detailed exploration of the events of Swift’s life. The third volume follows Swift’s life and career from 1714 to 1745 and sets it against the public events of the age, paying close attention to political and economic change, ecclesiastical problems, social issues, and literary history. It traces Swift’s rise to becoming first citizen of Ireland and looks in detail at the composition, publication, and reception of Gulliver’s Travels, as well as many of Swift’s other works, both poetry and prose. It also explores Swift’s later years, his love affairs with Esther Johnson and Esther Vanhomrigh, his complicated friendships with Pope, Lord Bolingbroke, and Archbishop King, and his declining health. Dean Swift is a hugely detailed insight into Swift’s life from 1714 until his death and will be of interest to anyone wanting to find out more about his life and works.

First published in 1962, Mr Swift and his Contemporaries, is the first of three volumes providing a detailed exploration of the events of Swift’s life. This volume is a thorough insight into the historical and social setting of Swift’s life, the evolution of his character, and the composition and interpretation of his works. It includes a wealth of material concerning Swift’s family and career, his emotional and sexual life, his relationship with Sir William Temple, and the design and meaning of both A Tale of a Tub and The Battle of the Books. Mr Swift and his Contemporaries is ideal for anyone with an interest in Swift’s life, work, and the period in which he lived.

First published in 1967, Dr Swift is the second of three volumes providing a detailed exploration of the events of Swift’s life. This volume begins by assessing Swift’s character, hopes and ambitions in 1699. It then traces his life and career up to 1714 in minute detail, giving close consideration to Swift’s expectations and the extent to which he felt they were fulfilled. In doing so, it covers Swift’s movement between Ireland and England, his reputation as a poet, his historical writing, his church preferments, involvement in politics, and much more, including his relationships with a number of prominent social figures of the time. Dr Swift is ideal for those with an interest in Swift’s life, and in particular his life and career between 1699 and 1714.