Life and works of Richard Steele

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'Dick' Steele was born at Dublin in 1672. his father was a Dublin attorney who died when he was five. he was educated at the charter house with Addison. then in Christ church and then in Merton college Oxford which he left without taking a degree. steele choose a military career. he then became a private life guard in the Cold Stream Guards. he became the secretary of his colonel, lord Cutts to whom he dedicated his THE PROCESSION (1695) and some elegiac verses on the death of queen Mary.
In 1701 steele wrote THE CHRISTIAN HERO, THE FUNERAL in 1704. then THE LYING LOVER, THE TENDER HUSBAND in 1705. after 17 years he wrote THE CONSCIOUS LOVERS in which Mrs. Oldfield and Colley Cibber took part.
Steele was married twice. his first wife died shortly after the marriage. she left him an estate in the West indies. her second wife was named Prue.
In 1707 steele was appointed to the official organ of the government of the London gazette. in 1709 he started THE TATLER., SPECTATOR, THE GUARDIAN.
Steele twice became the member of parliament. he was a supporter of Haunoverian succession. he was knighted in 1715. in 1715 he received the patent for Drury lane. he spent his last years on the border of Wales. he got struck by paralysis. he died at Carmarthen on September 1, 1729 and was buried in St Peter's church.
he was also the writer of THE CHRISTIAN HERO. 

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