# Oliver Goldsmith

## Biography

Oliver Goldsmith was an Anglo-Irish writer born around 1728 in County Longford, Ireland. He experienced a somewhat unpromising youth, attending Trinity College Dublin where he was known for being an indolent scholar and was even expelled temporarily for his involvement in a student riot, though he eventually graduated. After a period of wandering and unsuccessful attempts at careers in medicine and law, Goldsmith moved to London in 1756. There, he embarked on a prolific but often financially precarious career as a hack writer, frequently battling debt. Despite these struggles, his literary talent shone through. He became a respected figure in London's literary circles, counted among the founding members of "The Club" alongside Samuel Johnson. Goldsmith's most renowned works include the novel *The Vicar of Wakefield* (1766), the celebrated poem *The Deserted Village* (1770), and the enduringly popular play *She Stoops to Conquer* (1773). His writing often explored themes of rural life, human nature, and societal critiques with a distinctive blend of humor and sentiment. Goldsmith passed away in London in 1774, leaving behind a diverse and influential body of work that cemented his place as a significant figure of the 18th century.

## Books

- [She Stoops to Conquer; Or, The Mistakes of a Night: A Comedy](https://samolit.com/books/96133)