Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774) was a versatile Anglo-Irish writer celebrated for his poetry, novels, and plays. His most notable works include the novel The Vicar of Wakefield, the poem The Deserted Village, and the comedy She Stoops to Conquer. Goldsmith's writings offer a lively portrayal of 18th-century society, blending humor with keen social insight, which secured his legacy in Georgian literary history. After studying in Ireland and briefly in Edinburgh, he traveled Europe before settling in London, contributing to a vibrant literary scene alongside figures like Samuel Johnson.
Key Contributions
The Vicar of Wakefield, The Deserted Village, She Stoops to Conquer, The Traveller.
Early life and education
Born on November 10, 1728, in Ireland, Oliver Goldsmith grew up likely near Ballymahon or Elphin. His father, Charles Goldsmith, was an Anglican clergyman, while his mother, Ann Jones, came from a clergyman's family. When he was just two years old, the family relocated to Lissoy, where his father served until his passing in 1747. Goldsmith faced health challenges early on, suffering from smallpox, which left him with facial scars. He started his education at a village school and continued at schools in Elphin, Athlone, and Edgeworthstown. In 1744, he enrolled at Trinity College Dublin, where he was not particularly committed and was briefly expelled in 1747 for his involvement in a riot. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1749 and studied medicine in Edinburgh, supporting himself by busking during his travels.
Literary career and major works
Oliver Goldsmith was a versatile Anglo-Irish writer famous for his essays, poetry, novels, and plays that helped shape 18th-century Georgian literature. His literary journey started after he moved to London around 1756. In this city, he became part of influential literary circles and developed a close friendship with Samuel Johnson, who played a role in promoting his work.
Goldsmith’s major works cover a range of genres. His novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" (1766) stands out as his only novel and continues to be popular today. This story takes a humorous and ironic look at rural life through Dr. Primrose, a vicar who, despite his good intentions, faces a series of unfortunate family-related events. Initially regarded as sentimental and less celebrated in Goldsmith’s time, the novel eventually became a Victorian favorite, praised for its depiction of simple humanity.
In terms of poetry, Goldsmith is particularly known for two significant long poems. "The Traveller" (1764) was written in the Augustan style and explores the state and fortunes of various European nations. Praised by Dr. Johnson as the best poem since Alexander Pope, it enjoyed great popularity in the 18th century, seeing multiple editions. His other renowned poem, "The Deserted Village" (1770), mourns the decline of rural village life and highlights the displacement of country villagers. This poem is often viewed as criticism of modernization and social upheaval.
Goldsmith found success in drama as well. His comedy "She Stoops to Conquer" (1773) is regarded as one of the most important plays for the English stage, second only to the comedies of Shakespeare. It is celebrated for its lively humor and keen social commentary. Another key play is "The Good-Natur'd Man" (1768).
In addition to these highlighted works, Goldsmith authored various essays and miscellaneous writings. One notable piece, The Citizen of the World (1760–1761), consists of satirical letters from a Chinese visitor to England, displaying his sharp wit and keen observations about English society. He also crafted an abridged version of Plutarch’s Lives and engaged with topics in English history and poetry. Goldsmith’s writing was known for its elegance, clarity, and realistic representation of social life, which significantly enriched the polite literature of his era.
Personal life and legacy
Never marrying, Oliver Goldsmith was well-known for his generosity and lavish way of living, which ultimately led to debts of about £2000 upon his death. Born around 1730, he faced a severe smallpox attack in childhood, leaving him with lasting effects. He pursued his education at Trinity College Dublin and later studied medicine in Edinburgh. Despite showing promise, Goldsmith struggled financially throughout his life, often borrowing from friends while facing gambling and alcohol issues. He maintained strong friendships with notable literary figures, including Samuel Johnson, who supported him during tough times. Goldsmith proudly embraced his Irish identity, retaining his accent after relocating to London. His remarkable legacy includes celebrated works like The Vicar of Wakefield, The Deserted Village, and She Stoops to Conquer, which have firmly established his reputation as a significant 18th-century writer.
Political views and influences
Oliver Goldsmith held political views reflecting a cautious Tory stance and was a moderate supporter of the monarchy. His opinions were shaped by his Irish background and experiences in 18th-century London. While his poetry, particularly in The Traveller (1764), displays some Tory stylistic elements, Goldsmith showed concerns about social inequality and the negative impacts of aristocratic displacement. These themes appear prominently in works like The Deserted Village (1770). He criticized the Whig ideology and sentimentality prevalent in the literature of his time, making a point to distance himself from its political meanings. Goldsmith was also a member of "The Club," an influential group that included figures like Samuel Johnson and Edmund Burke; they participated in important political and literary discussions. His works critique factionalism and social unrest while promoting a vision for a balanced, stable society.
Later life and health struggles
Later life was challenging for Oliver Goldsmith, as he faced constant financial difficulties and declining health. Despite finding literary success and being part of an esteemed group called "The Club," he often spent beyond his means; this resulted in significant debt from his lavish lifestyle and gambling. To cope with his financial issues, Goldsmith turned to hack writing and briefly worked at Thornhill Grammar School, a position he did not enjoy. His health worsened over the years, worsened by stress and fatigue. In the spring of 1774, Goldsmith developed a kidney infection that was mistakenly diagnosed, leading to his untimely death on April 4, 1774, at 45 years old. He was buried in Temple Church, London, and his friend Samuel Johnson recognized both his literary brilliance and his social struggles.
Writing style and contributions
Oliver Goldsmith’s writing style features naturalness, simplicity, and emotional warmth. His prose combines grace, wit, and clarity, making complex concepts easy to understand and enjoyable for readers. Goldsmith's works reflect both gaiety and sadness, portraying affectionate, relatable characters instead of focusing on complex plots or grand ideas. His poetry reimagines the traditional heroic couplet into smooth, melodic lines, which stand apart from the formal blank verse of his time. Goldsmith made important contributions to literature by humanizing the literary imagination of the 18th century, using humor and satire to realistically yet kindly depict people and social issues. His essays, particularly in The Citizen of the World, adopt the perspective of a foreign observer, allowing him to critique English society and provide readers with new insights through clear, simple expressions.
Final years and death
Oliver Goldsmith passed away on April 4, 1774, in London; he likely suffered from a kidney infection, which was misdiagnosed and complicated by Dr. James's fever powders that he insisted on using. Despite achieving literary success and being part of the respected group known as "The Club," Goldsmith faced ongoing health issues and struggled with financial difficulties caused by his lavish lifestyle and poor money management. To address his debts, his work, Retaliation, was published shortly after his death. Goldsmith was laid to rest in Temple Church, London; however, the exact location of his grave remains unknown. His original monument was destroyed in an air raid during 1941, but there’s still a tribute to him in Ballymahon, Ireland. Notably, Samuel Johnson wrote an epitaph celebrating Goldsmith’s wide-ranging literary talents.
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