# Richard Steele

> 17th/18th-century Anglo-Irish writer, playwright, and politician

**Wikidata**: [Q333148](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q333148)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Steele)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/richard-steele

## Summary
Richard Steele was a 17th/18th-century Anglo-Irish writer, playwright, and politician, best known as the co-founder of *The Tatler*, a British literary and society journal published from 1709 to 1711. His collaboration with Joseph Addison on *The Tatler* and *The Spectator* established him as a key figure in early 18th-century literary and political discourse.

## Biography
- Nationality: Anglo-Irish
- Known for: Co-founding *The Tatler* (1709–1711) and contributing to early 18th-century literary and political journalism
- Field(s): Literature, politics, journalism

## Contributions
- **The Tatler (1709–1711)**: Co-founded with Joseph Addison, *The Tatler* was a satirical and literary journal that critiqued society and politics, influencing early 18th-century discourse.

## FAQs
**What was Richard Steele’s most significant contribution?**
Richard Steele is best known for co-founding *The Tatler* (1709–1711) with Joseph Addison, a journal that critiqued society and politics, shaping early 18th-century literary and political discourse.

**Where did Richard Steele work?**
Richard Steele was involved in literary and political journalism, primarily through his collaboration with Joseph Addison on *The Tatler* and *The Spectator*.

**What was *The Tatler* about?**
*The Tatler* was a satirical and literary journal published from 1709 to 1711, co-founded by Richard Steele and Joseph Addison, which critiqued society and politics.

## Why They Matter
Richard Steele’s collaboration with Joseph Addison on *The Tatler* and *The Spectator* laid the groundwork for modern literary and political journalism. Their work influenced later satirical and critical writing, shaping public discourse in the early 18th century. Without Steele and Addison, the development of satirical journalism as a distinct literary and political genre might have been delayed or less influential.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of *The Tatler* (1709–1711), a pioneering literary and political journal
- Key contributor to early 18th-century satirical and critical writing

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Richard Steele was an Anglo-Irish writer, playwright, and politician, active in the 17th and 18th centuries. He is best remembered for his collaboration with Joseph Addison on *The Tatler*, a satirical and literary journal published from 1709 to 1711.

### Literary and Political Contributions
Steele’s most significant work was co-founding *The Tatler* with Addison. The journal critiqued society and politics, influencing early 18th-century discourse. Their partnership also led to *The Spectator*, another influential literary and political publication.

### Influence and Legacy
Steele and Addison’s contributions to journalism and satire laid the foundation for modern literary and political criticism. Their work shaped public opinion and set standards for satirical writing, making them foundational figures in early 18th-century intellectual and cultural discourse.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. BnF authorities
4. Genealogics
5. Library of the World's Best Literature
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. CiNii Research
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. SNAC
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
13. LIBRIS. 2008