What personal traits made Oliver Goldsmith seem eccentric to his contemporaries?

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Oliver Goldsmith Oliver Goldsmith, oil painting from the studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1770; in the National Portrait Gallery, London

Oliver Goldsmith was widely regarded by his contemporaries as one of the most eccentric personalities of his time, primarily due to the stark contrast between his polished literary talent and his social ineptitude.

His perceived eccentricity stemmed from several personal traits and behaviors:

Social Awkwardness: While he possessed a graceful and fluent writing style, he often struggled in conversation, leading to memorable social mishaps.
Appearance and Mannerisms: He retained his Irish brogue and provincial manners despite moving among sophisticated Londoners. Physically, he was considered unattractive, with ill-proportioned features and a pock-marked face.
Financial Irresponsibility: He was an inveterate gambler and notoriously extravagant, which frequently left him in debt despite his significant earnings.
Character Flaws: Contemporaries noted his incredible vanity, a constant desire to be the center of attention, and a tendency to envy the achievements of others.
Generosity: He was known to be generous to those in distress, sometimes beyond his own means.

Ultimately, his peers were struck by the paradox that he was "more foolish when he had not a pen in his hand, or more wise when he had".1