Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the life of Jonathan Swift, the Anglo-Irish cleric and author regarded as the greatest satirist of the Georgian era. We examine his trademark "Swiftian" irony found in masterpieces like Gulliver's Travels and A Modest Proposal, the latter of which famously suggested the poor sell their children as food to the rich,. The discussion traces his path from Trinity College Dublin to his role as Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, where he became a revered Irish patriot for opposing English currency monopolies in Drapier's Letters,,. We also look at his use of pseudonyms, such as Isaac Bickerstaff, and his complex personal relationships with Esther Johnson (known as "Stella") and Esther Vanhomrigh ("Vanessa"),. Finally, we cover his lifelong struggle with Ménière's disease and his decision to leave the bulk of his fortune to found a psychiatric hospital,.