Who was Sir William Temple in Jonathan Swift’s life?

Sir William Temple (1628–1699) was a prominent English statesman, diplomat, and a distant relative of Jonathan Swift’s mother. He played a pivotal role in Swift’s life, serving as his employer and mentor during a formative period.123

Beginning in 1689, Swift joined Temple’s household at Moor Park, Surrey, where he acted as a secretary while Temple worked on his memoirs and essays. This relationship was significant for several reasons:123

• Intellectual Development: Swift reached intellectual maturity at Moor Park, benefiting from access to Temple’s extensive library.3
• Literary Influence: Temple’s graceful, conversational prose style served as a model for Swift’s own writing. Swift later defended Temple’s essay "Upon Ancient and Modern Learning" in his famous work, The Battle of the Books.13
• Career Support: Through Temple’s influence, Swift received his M.A. degree from the University of Oxford in 1692.3
• Personal Connections: While at Moor Park, Swift met Esther Johnson, the daughter of Temple’s housekeeper, who became a central figure in his life known as "Stella".3

Swift remained with Temple intermittently until the statesman's death in 1699.2