Comments on: A Swift Bickerstaff, sir!

A Swift Bickerstaff, sir!

OmieWise — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:37:02 -0800

Jonathan Swift and April Fool's. In March of 1708 Swift published a pamphlet (under the name Isaac Bickerstaff) predicting the death of a popular astrological charlatan (John Partridge) who had predicted the demise of the COE. On March 29th, Swift published an account of the fulfillment of the prophecy and of the man's death, convincing people, despite Partridge's protestations, that the man claiming to be Partridge was an imposter. The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers.
Ben Franklin used a similar prank when he started Poor Richard's.
HP Lovecraft used the name Isaac Bikerstaff Jr., in 1914, when attacking "a quack named Hartmann, a devotee of the pseudo-science of Astrology."

By: anastasiav

anastasiav — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:44:02 -0800

Nice Post

By: Doohickie

Doohickie — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 08:47:50 -0800

Agreed. Nice Post. Tangentally related: See also George P. Burdell.

By: orthogonality

orthogonality — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 09:15:30 -0800

I'm saddened to report that quonsar has died. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, contributions of the clever snark Kevin loved so much.

By: malaprohibita

malaprohibita — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 09:52:49 -0800

I love Swift, and I love this story!

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 11:34:40 -0800

Man. That's even more mean-spirited than ol' Nate.

By: gsb

gsb — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 23:40:57 -0800

Very good, thanks for the links.

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Sat, 02 Apr 2005 00:12:49 -0800

Damn I love Swift. Thanks for the post.