Laetitia Pilkington
Encyclopedia
Laetitia Pilkington (c. 1709 - July 29, 1750) was a celebrated Anglo-Irish
poet
and important source of information on the early 18th century. Her Memoirs are the source of much of what is known of the personalities and habits of Jonathan Swift
and others.
Laetitia was born of two distinguished families. Her father was a physician and obstetrician
, eventually the president of the College of Physicians for Ireland
, and her mother was the niece of Sir John Meade. She was born either in Cork
, where her parents lived at their marriage, or Dublin, where they moved by 1711. She married Matthew Pilkington
in 1725, a rising priest
in the Church of Ireland
, and the couple were introduced to Jonathan Swift at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
in 1725. Swift enjoyed their company immensely, and he sought to benefit them in 1730 with the monies from a Miscellany of Irish wit that was never published. At that point, Swift already noted the literary skill of both Pilkingtons, calling them "a little young poetical parson, who has a littler young poetical wife" (Elias 322). Swift continued to try to help the Pilkingtons, and he got Matthew a position as chaplain to the Lord Mayor
of London
for 1732-1733.
Unfortunately, the assignment to London was a turning point for the couple. When Laetitia visited in 1733, she found her husband in love with a Drury Lane Theatre
actress and involved in numerous political schemes. Matthew sent her to spend time, instead, with James Worsdale
, a painter and rake
. Her correspondence shows that she was introduced to the Grub Street
hacks who made up the political and fashionable journalistic literary world, and she noted that Worsdale employed a number of worthy wits to furnish him with poetry that he could claim, including Henry Carey
. In 1734, Matthew was arrested for his politically maladroit actions and sent back to Dublin. Three years later, it was Laetitia's turn to be unfaithful. Matthew found her alone in her bedroom with a young surgeon, Robert Adair (who would later be surgeon general
of England). The two divorced in great bitterness, and the divorce cost Laetitia money as well as the friendship of Jonathan Swift.
She began to write and sell her productions at this juncture. She sold Worsdale poetry that he could claim for himself. Also in 1737, she wrote a feminist
prologue for Worsdale's A Cure for a Scold as well as a performed but unpublished opera
farce
called No Death but Marriage. To escape her suitors and fame, she moved to London and lived under the name of "Mrs. Meade" in 1739.
In London, Colley Cibber
, the old and wealthy poet laureate
, and Samuel Richardson
the publisher and, later, novelist, began an acquaintance with her. Cibber advised her on how to make money off the press, as he had previously done with his Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber, Comedian. She began to sell verse to Cibber's friends to pass off as their own, and she attempted to set up a print shop and bookseller's in St. James's. In 1742, she was arrested for a two pound
debt and imprisoned in the Marshalsea gaol. She was aided by Richardson.
In 1743, she began seeking, on Cibber's advice, subscribers for her Memoirs. Samuel Richardson, who had been a benefactor of hers and who had consulted with her on Clarissa
, would not publish the work. Further, no other London publisher would accept the work, and Matthew Pilkington worked hard to ensure that the Memoirs would find no home. Indeed, most of the book sellers and publishers, as well as many of the notables of the day, were afraid of their publication and afraid of having their private foibles exposed to the public. Therefore, Laetitia went back to Dublin in May of 1747 and began the publication of the Memoirs. The first two volumes appeared in 1748, and a third volume was unfinished at her death, although her son, John Carteret Pilkington, had it published in 1754. She died on July 29, 1750, most likely of a bleeding ulcer
, and was buried in Dublin.
The Memoirs are virtually the sole source of Laetitia Pilkington's fame, but this is partly because she included nearly all of her published works in the Memoirs. Thus, the three volumes of the Memoirs are also her Collected Works. Additionally, they provide terrific insight into Jonathan Swift, in particular, who is revealed as a tremendous reverse hypocrite (always pretending to gruffness but actually quite pious and tender hearted). However, personal, physical, and conversational details emerge about Colley Cibber, Samuel Richardson, Charles Churchill, John Ligonier, Edmund Curll
, and even the young William Blackstone
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and important source of information on the early 18th century. Her Memoirs are the source of much of what is known of the personalities and habits of Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift was an Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer , poet and cleric who became Dean of St...
and others.
Laetitia was born of two distinguished families. Her father was a physician and obstetrician
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
, eventually the president of the College of Physicians for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and her mother was the niece of Sir John Meade. She was born either in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, where her parents lived at their marriage, or Dublin, where they moved by 1711. She married Matthew Pilkington
Matthew Pilkington
Matthew Pilkington was the author of a standard text on painters, what would become known as Pilkington's Dictionary.-Biography:...
in 1725, a rising priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
, and the couple were introduced to Jonathan Swift at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
Saint Patrick's Cathedral , or more formally, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Patrick is a cathedral of the Church of Ireland in Dublin, Ireland which was founded in 1191. The Church has designated it as The National Cathedral of Ireland...
in 1725. Swift enjoyed their company immensely, and he sought to benefit them in 1730 with the monies from a Miscellany of Irish wit that was never published. At that point, Swift already noted the literary skill of both Pilkingtons, calling them "a little young poetical parson, who has a littler young poetical wife" (Elias 322). Swift continued to try to help the Pilkingtons, and he got Matthew a position as chaplain to the Lord Mayor
Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor is the title of the Mayor of a major city, with special recognition.-Commonwealth of Nations:* In Australia it is a political position. Australian cities with Lord Mayors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta, Perth, Sydney, and Wollongong...
of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for 1732-1733.
Unfortunately, the assignment to London was a turning point for the couple. When Laetitia visited in 1733, she found her husband in love with a Drury Lane Theatre
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,...
actress and involved in numerous political schemes. Matthew sent her to spend time, instead, with James Worsdale
James Worsdale
James Worsdale was an Irish and English portrait painter, actor, literary fraud, and libertine whose lively conversation, wittiness, and boldness allowed him to move among the highest circles of literary life...
, a painter and rake
Rake (character)
A rake, short for rakehell, is a historic term applied to a man who is habituated to immoral conduct, frequently a heartless womanizer. Often a rake was a man who wasted his fortune on gambling, wine, women and song, incurring lavish debts in the process...
. Her correspondence shows that she was introduced to the Grub Street
Grub Street
Until the early 19th century, Grub Street was a street close to London's impoverished Moorfields district that ran from Fore Street east of St Giles-without-Cripplegate north to Chiswell Street...
hacks who made up the political and fashionable journalistic literary world, and she noted that Worsdale employed a number of worthy wits to furnish him with poetry that he could claim, including Henry Carey
Henry Carey (writer)
Henry Carey was an English poet, dramatist and song-writer. He is remembered as an anti-Walpolean satirist and also as a patriot. Several of his melodies continue to be sung today, and he was widely praised in the generation after his death...
. In 1734, Matthew was arrested for his politically maladroit actions and sent back to Dublin. Three years later, it was Laetitia's turn to be unfaithful. Matthew found her alone in her bedroom with a young surgeon, Robert Adair (who would later be surgeon general
Surgeon-General (United Kingdom)
The Surgeon-General is the senior medical officer of the British Armed Forces; the post is held by the senior of the three individual service medical directors....
of England). The two divorced in great bitterness, and the divorce cost Laetitia money as well as the friendship of Jonathan Swift.
She began to write and sell her productions at this juncture. She sold Worsdale poetry that he could claim for himself. Also in 1737, she wrote a feminist
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
prologue for Worsdale's A Cure for a Scold as well as a performed but unpublished opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
farce
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
called No Death but Marriage. To escape her suitors and fame, she moved to London and lived under the name of "Mrs. Meade" in 1739.
In London, Colley Cibber
Colley Cibber
Colley Cibber was an English actor-manager, playwright and Poet Laureate. His colourful memoir Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber describes his life in a personal, anecdotal and even rambling style...
, the old and wealthy poet laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
, and Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardson
Samuel Richardson was an 18th-century English writer and printer. He is best known for his three epistolary novels: Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded , Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady and The History of Sir Charles Grandison...
the publisher and, later, novelist, began an acquaintance with her. Cibber advised her on how to make money off the press, as he had previously done with his Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber, Comedian. She began to sell verse to Cibber's friends to pass off as their own, and she attempted to set up a print shop and bookseller's in St. James's. In 1742, she was arrested for a two pound
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
debt and imprisoned in the Marshalsea gaol. She was aided by Richardson.
In 1743, she began seeking, on Cibber's advice, subscribers for her Memoirs. Samuel Richardson, who had been a benefactor of hers and who had consulted with her on Clarissa
Clarissa
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady is an epistolary novel by Samuel Richardson, published in 1748. It tells the tragic story of a heroine whose quest for virtue is continually thwarted by her family, and is the longest real novelA completed work that has been released by a publisher in...
, would not publish the work. Further, no other London publisher would accept the work, and Matthew Pilkington worked hard to ensure that the Memoirs would find no home. Indeed, most of the book sellers and publishers, as well as many of the notables of the day, were afraid of their publication and afraid of having their private foibles exposed to the public. Therefore, Laetitia went back to Dublin in May of 1747 and began the publication of the Memoirs. The first two volumes appeared in 1748, and a third volume was unfinished at her death, although her son, John Carteret Pilkington, had it published in 1754. She died on July 29, 1750, most likely of a bleeding ulcer
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
, and was buried in Dublin.
The Memoirs are virtually the sole source of Laetitia Pilkington's fame, but this is partly because she included nearly all of her published works in the Memoirs. Thus, the three volumes of the Memoirs are also her Collected Works. Additionally, they provide terrific insight into Jonathan Swift, in particular, who is revealed as a tremendous reverse hypocrite (always pretending to gruffness but actually quite pious and tender hearted). However, personal, physical, and conversational details emerge about Colley Cibber, Samuel Richardson, Charles Churchill, John Ligonier, Edmund Curll
Edmund Curll
Edmund Curll was an English bookseller and publisher. His name has become synonymous, through the attacks on him by Alexander Pope, with unscrupulous publication and publicity. Curll rose from poverty to wealth through his publishing, and he did this by approaching book printing in a mercenary...
, and even the young William Blackstone
William Blackstone
Sir William Blackstone KC SL was an English jurist, judge and Tory politician of the eighteenth century. He is most noted for writing the Commentaries on the Laws of England. Born into a middle class family in London, Blackstone was educated at Charterhouse School before matriculating at Pembroke...
.