-
Jonathan Swift is born
He was born in Dublin, Ireland. His father died a couple of months before he was born. -
Swift graduates Trinity College
From 1682-1686, Swift attended Trinity College. In 1688, he went to England. -
Meets Esther Johnson
Swift becomes a secretary in the household of Sir William Temple at Moor Park in Surrey. He meets Esther Johnson. -
Swift publishes his first poem
Swift goes to Oxford and recieves an M.A. degree there. Soon after, he publishes his first poem. -
Swift ordained as priest
In 1694, Swift leaves England and goes back to Ireland. There, he is ordained as a priest in the Church of Ireland in 1695. -
Swift composes A Tale of the Tub
In 1696, Swift returns to Moor park and starts writing A Tale of a Tub, his first great work. He finishes writing in 1699 and when Temple dies, he travels to Ireland as the secretary of the Earl of Berkeley. -
Publication
Swift's A Tale of a Tub, The Battle of the Books, and The Mechanical Operation of the Spirit, get anonymously publicated. -
Returns to England
Swift returns to England, He falls out with the Whigs, becomes a Tory, and becomes the publisher of a Tory newspaper, The Examiner. -
Swift Marries
Swifr Marries Esther Johnson. -
Gullivers Travels
Swift began writing Gullivers Travels in 1720, He wrote a letter to the Pope telling him that he intends to "vex the world, not divert it." -
Gullivers Travels published
Swift visited England again and Gullivers Travels is officially published. -
Esther dies
Esther Johnson dies. -
A Modest Proposal
A Modest Proposal is published. -
Senility
Swift becomes senile and suffers a paralytic stroke. He had been suffering from Meniere's Desease for quite a while and battling dizziness and nausea in addition to his memory deteriorating. -
Death
Jonathan Swift dies on October 19th, 1745. Swift composed a Latin epitaph for himself:
Savage indignation there
Cannot lacerate his breast.
Imitate him if you dare,
World-besotted traveller; he
Served human liberty.
