Oliver Goldsmith was born in Pallas, near Ballymahon, Longford, in Ireland on November 10, 1728. His place of birth is somewhat contested. His father was Charles Goldsmith, a clergyman. Goldsmith first went to school in Kilkenny.
Oliver Goldsmith attended Trinity College, in Dublin, from 1744 to 1749, and then studied medicine at Edinburgh. He never finished his studies there, deciding to travel about to Holland, France, Switzerland, Italy, and England. He supported himself by playing music with his flute.
Oliver Goldsmith died on April 4, 1774 at the age of 45. He was deeply in debt when he died. At the time of his death, he was also relying heavily on the advice of apothecaries. Goldsmith was buried in the churchyard of the Church of Saint Mary in London, England. Johnson provided an epitaph, which included: "Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit," which translated reads, "He touched nothing that he did not adorn."
Oliver Goldsmith never married, though he appears to have been deeply in love with Mary Horneck.
Like his fellow Irish contemporary, Richard Sheridan, Oliver Goldsmith's plays are still both read and performed to this day, which is no small feat in itself. Several of his best-loved works include: "She Stoops to Conquer" (1773), "The Deserted Village" (1770), and "The Vicar of Wakefield" (1766).
Oliver Goldsmith practiced medicine for a time, was a teacher, but then devoted his time to writing. Of course, one of his habits included gambling, which seriously depleted his funds, whenever he was able to successfully bring in money. Goldsmith was also generous to a fault.
"Does the poet paint the absurdities of the vulgar, then he is low; does he exaggerate the features of folly, to render it more ridiculous, he is then very low. In short, they have proscribed the comic or satirical muse from every walk but high life, which, though abounding in fools as well as the humblest station, is by no means so fruitful in absurdity."
"So, with decorum all things carry'd;
Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then was--married."
- "The Double Transformation"
I... chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, not for a fine glossy surface, but such qualities as would wear well."
- "The Vicar of Wakefield"
"Books are necessary to correct the vices of the polite; but those vices are ever changing, and the antidote should be changed accordingly--should still be new."
"By every remove I only drag a greater length of chain."
"In proportion as society refines, new books must ever become more necessary."
"The first time I read an excellent book, it is to me just as if I had gained a new friend. When I read a book over I have perused before, it resembles the meeting with an old one."
(1728-1774) Irish writer. Oliver Goldsmith didn't have a great start in life. He came from a poor Irish family, and he relied upon the kindness of relatives to attend Trinity College, and received an endowment to study medicine at Edinburgh. He did, however, manage to become a famous poet, novelist, and playwright. His works are still read and appreciated tody.
A contemporary of Irish writer Richard Sheridan, Goldsmith began his pursuit of writing in 1757, when he became a literary hack for the "Monthly Review." He wrote about just about anything and everything, including histories, and children's books. Of course, he was desperate for money at the time, but his reputation improved when he began to write for periodicals. In 1764, "The Traveller" appeared in print; then in 1766, "The Vicar of Wakefield," one of his most beloved works, appeared.
"She Stoops to Conquer" was another great success, when it was presented at Covent Gardens.
Although Goldsmith was successful in his endeavors, he was never able to manage his money very well. Depending on writing for his livelihood, he also relied heavily on the kindness of his friends to survive. I suppose it's not so very strange... Many of our greatest writers have depended upon the kindness of friends and even stranger to support them as theycontinued to pursuewriting.
