Question

Who was Sir Richard Steele’s co-founder for The Spectator?

• A. Alexander Pope
• B. Joseph Addison
• C. Samuel Johnson
• D. Jonathan Swift

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Joseph Addison

• Richard Steele (1672 - 1729) was an English essayist, dramatist, journalist, and politician, best known as the principal author ( with Joseph Addison) of the periodicals The Tatler and The Spectator which became iconic in early 18th-century literary culture.

• Steele is remembered for helping shape the essay as a literary form and promoting moral and ethical principles through accessible and entertaining writing.

• His collaboration with Addison set the standard for modern journalism.

• Steel launched The Tatler in 1709, using the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff ( borrowed from Jonathan Swift), and it gained popularity for its blend of humor, satire, and moral discourse.

• Following Tatler's success, Steele co-founded The Spectator IN 1711 with Addison, often showcasing his talent for blending light humor with moral instruction, appealing to elite and common readers.

• In The Tatler (No. 132), Steele introduces the Trumpet Club as a fictional society of eccentric and verbose individuals who gather regularly to share their thoughts and stories.