Joseph Addison (1672-1719) was an eminent English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician, whose literary contributions have left an indelible mark on English literature. Born in Milston, Wiltshire, Addison was educated at Charterhouse School and at Queen's College, Oxford, where he mastered Latin and Greek and developed a passion for English literature. Addison's forays into the literary world garnered him early success with works such as 'The Campaign' (1704), a poem celebrating the Duke of Marlborough's victory at Blenheim. He is, however, best known for co-founding 'The Spectator' periodical with his long-standing friend, Sir Richard Steele. Together with Steele, Addison also launched 'The Tatler', a triweekly literary and society paper which ran in a total of four volumes from 1709 to 1711. 'The Tatler' (Vol. 1-4) laid the groundwork for the modern English essay, mixing humor, criticism, and moral reflection. Through this medium, Addison's graceful, urbane, and underplayed style made him a master of the 'familiar essay'. His writings can be seen as a precursor to the modern-day op-ed, blending entertainment with serious discussion on ethics, literature, and society at large. Addison's influence on the eighteenth-century literary scene was profound, as he raised standards for criticism and prose writing, and contributed significantly to the development of English periodicals. His legacy remains as a foundational figure in shaping the tastes and mores of his time through the power of the written word.