Enlightenment

Jonathan Swift: Modest Proposal (1730)

First published in 1729, Swift’s anonymously published Juvenalian satirical essay, A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People From Being a Burden, proved controversial. By suggesting that impoverished Irish parents might ease their poverty by selling their own children as food for the rich he sought to mock heartless attitudes towards the poor. Swift was, at this time, fully involved in political campaigning for the Irish.

Swift (Jonathan), Proposal for preventing Children of poor People from being a Burden to their Parents or their Country. 8vo. Dublin and London, 1730.
[P.71(3)]
Former owner: David Hughes (1727-77)