Oliver Goldsmith: A Brief Biography
In the winter of 1756, a penniless and weary young man arrived in Dover, England by boat. After several years of solitary travel across continental Europe, he found himself in urgent need of income. The dilemma he faced was how to earn it: should he become a writer, a teacher, or leverage his unrecognized Dutch medical degree? This young man, Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), ultimately chose to pursue writing. Despite never achieving financial stability and constantly writing for money, Goldsmith created works of history, poetry, essays, plays, and a novel that helped define his era. Birth November 10, 1728 Death April 4, 1774 Father Rev. Charles Goldsmith Mother Ann Jones Goldsmith Cause of Death Misdiagnosis of kidney infection Famous Works The Vicar of Wakefield She Stoops to Conquer The Good-Natur'd Man Nationality Irish Literary Period Age of Sentimentality, 18th Century Literature Early Life and Education Born in: Rural County Westmeath, Ireland Father: An Anglican clergyman Family: Respectable but …