Swift, Jonathan

Hard of hearing. Born in Ireland of English parents. Graduated Trinity College in Dublin; deafness began about age 20, probably from Meniere's disease. Moved to England about 1688 or 1689; became secretary to the statesman Sir William Temple, 1689-1699; became a minister in the Anglican Church of Ireland, 1695. Political pamphleteer during the early 1700s; became dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Wrote Gulliver's Travels (1726) and other works; best known for his satires. One of his poems is "On His Own Deafness".