Jonathan Swift was an Irish writer and clergyman best known for his satirical works, including Gulliver’s Travels, A Modest Proposal and A Tale of a Tub. He was born on November 30 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Jonathan Swift Sr, was a lawyer and his mother, Abigail Erick was the daughter of a clergyman. His mother moved back to England when he was just a year old leaving him in the care of his father’s family in Ireland. His father died when he was only seven years old. Swift had a difficult childhood as he was often sick and suffered from bouts of dizziness and vertigo. Despite this, he was a bright student and was eventually sent to Trinity College in Dublin to study. After graduating, Swift worked as a secretary for Sir William Temple, a statesman and writer. It was during this time that Swift developed his literary talents, and he began to write satirical essays and poems.
