LIVES OF THE POETS (ADDISON, SAVAGE, SWIFT)




Contents.

Introduction by Henry Morley.
Joseph Addison.
Richard Savage.
Jonathan Swift.




INTRODUCTION.



Johnson's "Lives of the Poets" were written to serve as
Introductions to a trade edition of the works of poets whom the
booksellers selected for republication. Sometimes, therefore, they
dealt briefly with men in whom the public at large has long ceased
to be interested. Richard Savage would be of this number if
Johnson's account of his life had not secured for him lasting
remembrance. Johnson's Life of Savage in this volume has not less
interest than the Lives of Addison and Swift, between which it is
set, although Savage himself has no right at all to be remembered in
such company. Johnson published this piece of biography when his
age was thirty-five; his other lives of poets appeared when that age