John Arbuthnot (1667–1735) is a figure whose name may not be as widely recognized as Alexander Pope or Jonathan Swift, yet he remains an essential contributor to the landscape of 18th Century British poetry and satire. Often described primarily as a physician or satirist, Arbuthnot’s poetic work deserves focused scholarly attention. This article explores Arbuthnot’s multifaceted career and his place within British poetry during the Augustan Age—a period marked by its reverence for classical ideals and sharp satirical wit.
While 18th Century British poetry is frequently associated with grand philosophical themes and elegant verse, Arbuthnot carved a niche with his humor, social criticism, and scientific background. This article examines Arbuthnot’s life, his literary style and themes, his collaborations with contemporaries, and his lasting impact on British poetry and literature. In doing so, we gain a richer understanding of how the British poet contributed uniquely to the intellectual and artistic currents of his time.
John Arbuthnot
John Arbuthnot was born on April 29, 1667, in Kincardineshire, Scotland. His upbringing in a Scottish environment and education at the University of Edinburgh grounded him in the classics and medical science. The University of Edinburgh was a leading institution in medical education, which shaped Arbuthnot’s lifelong engagement with both medicine and letters.
In the late 17th century, Arbuthnot moved to London, the thriving center of British literary and political life. London was where British poetry flourished, with coffeehouses and salons fostering intellectual debates. His medical credentials earned him recognition, and eventually he became a physician to Queen Anne, a prestigious position that linked him closely to the English court.
The fact that Arbuthnot was a practicing doctor is crucial to understanding his poetry. His exposure to scientific inquiry and the workings of human nature informed his sharp satirical voice. Unlike many poets who confined themselves to purely literary pursuits, Arbuthnot’s interdisciplinary life gave him a distinct vantage point. His dual identity as a British poet and scientist enriched the era’s literary culture by blending humor with empirical observation.
Arbuthnot’s Role in 18th Century British Poetry
The Augustan Age and the Literary Climate
The 18th Century British poet worked within the Augustan Age, named after the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, whose era was celebrated for its political stability and literary excellence. British poets sought to emulate the classical virtues of harmony, clarity, and rationality. They valued order and wit, often employing heroic couplets—a pair of rhymed lines of iambic pentameter—as the dominant poetic form.
The Augustan Age was also characterized by political upheaval and the rise of print culture. Newspapers, pamphlets, and periodicals flourished, offering new platforms for poetry and satire. British poetry from this period frequently engaged with political and social issues, making satire a powerful literary weapon.
The Scriblerus Club and Collaboration
One of the most influential gatherings in which Arbuthnot participated was the Scriblerus Club. Founded around 1714, the club included luminaries such as Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and John Gay. Their aim was to defend the integrity of learning and literary taste against pedantry, pretentiousness, and nonsense.
The Club created the fictional character Martinus Scriblerus to satirize contemporary follies. Arbuthnot’s contributions were key in shaping the group’s satirical philosophy. Together, they produced works that lampooned intellectual pretension and political corruption.
Arbuthnot’s role in the club highlights his influence on 18th Century British poetry beyond his individual compositions. He was a connector and collaborator, helping to set the tone of the era’s satirical literature. His wit and medical insights were invaluable in crafting works that blended humor with intellectual critique.
Themes and Style in Arbuthnot’s Poetry
Satire as Social Commentary
Arbuthnot’s poetry is deeply rooted in satire—a form of writing that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose and criticize folly or vice. His satirical works often targeted the medical profession itself, mocking quacks and false remedies that endangered public health. This unique combination of satire and medical critique made him stand out among British poets.
One notable poem, The Art of Political Lying, delivers a witty yet incisive commentary on the political dishonesty rampant in early 18th-century England. Arbuthnot dissected the artifice of politicians with humor, highlighting how lies were employed as tools of power.
His satire was not limited to politics and medicine. Arbuthnot also poked fun at societal pretensions, intellectual fads, and cultural absurdities. This broad scope of social critique was a hallmark of 18th Century British poetry and placed him firmly within the tradition of the Augustan satirists.
Clarity and Accessibility of Language
While many poets of the Augustan Age favored ornate diction and elevated style, Arbuthnot opted for simplicity and directness. His verses were clear and easily understood, which enhanced their satirical punch. This accessible style was effective in reaching a wider audience and ensuring that his social messages were not obscured by excessive literary ornamentation.
This approach contrasts with the sometimes complex and philosophical poetry of Alexander Pope, who was known for his dense allusions and polished heroic couplets. Arbuthnot’s straightforward language helped democratize British poetry, making satire an instrument available beyond elite literary circles.
Scientific Influence and Rationalism
As a physician and scientist, Arbuthnot incorporated a rationalist perspective into his poetry. He valued observation and reason, traits that aligned with the Enlightenment spirit of the 18th century. His poetry often reflected empirical inquiry, which differentiated his work from more romantic or metaphysical poets.
In poems like An Essay on the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning, Arbuthnot championed science and rational thought. This blending of poetry with scientific ideas was unusual but influential in broadening the thematic scope of British poetry.
Comparison with Contemporaries
Alexander Pope: The Polished Satirist
Alexander Pope (1688–1744) is arguably the most renowned 18th Century British poet. His mastery of the heroic couplet and philosophical breadth made him a towering figure. While Pope’s satire is often intellectual and formal, Arbuthnot’s is more practical and direct.
Despite their stylistic differences, the two poets shared a close friendship and collaborated on several projects. Arbuthnot’s simpler, sharper satire complemented Pope’s more elaborate and refined verse. Their mutual influence enriched British poetry and underscored the era’s diversity.
Jonathan Swift: The Dark Satirist
Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) was a contemporary and collaborator of Arbuthnot’s. Swift’s satire, evident in Gulliver’s Travels and A Modest Proposal, is darker and more biting. His work exposes human cruelty and folly with a caustic edge.
Arbuthnot shared Swift’s commitment to social critique but approached it with a lighter tone and greater humor. Whereas Swift’s satire often horrifies, Arbuthnot’s invites laughter and reflection. Together, they represent two complementary strands of 18th Century British poetry’s satirical tradition.
John Gay: The Musical Satirist
John Gay (1685–1732) is best known for The Beggar’s Opera, a satirical ballad opera. Like Arbuthnot, Gay used satire to address corruption and social injustice. Both poets preferred accessible language and humor.
Their works contributed to the democratization of British poetry and drama, broadening the reach of satire to new audiences. Arbuthnot’s engagement with Gay and others helped create a vibrant literary culture where satire was both entertaining and instructive.
Arbuthnot’s Contributions Beyond Poetry
Influence on Prose and the Novel
Arbuthnot’s satire extended into prose through his participation in the Scriblerus Club’s projects. The Club’s invention of Martinus Scriblerus laid groundwork for character-driven satire, influencing later novelists such as Henry Fielding and Laurence Sterne.
Fielding’s Tom Jones and Sterne’s Tristram Shandy incorporate satirical techniques that echo the Club’s style. Arbuthnot’s blending of humor, social observation, and character invention helped pave the way for the novel as a genre that combined entertainment with moral critique.
Medical Writings and Advocacy
Arbuthnot’s medical career was not separate from his literary endeavors. He published scientific essays and pamphlets addressing public health issues and critiquing medical quackery. His poem An Essay on the Effects of Air reflected contemporary scientific debates.
His dual role as physician and poet allowed him to advocate for rational medicine while using satire to undermine charlatans. This crossover enriched 18th Century British poetry with a practical dimension rarely found in purely literary poets.
Legacy of John Arbuthnot
Recognition and Scholarship
For many years, Arbuthnot was overshadowed by his more famous contemporaries. However, recent literary scholarship has reassessed his contributions, recognizing his distinctive voice and interdisciplinary influence.
His satire and poetic clarity are now appreciated as integral to the development of British poetry’s social function. Scholars highlight Arbuthnot’s role in bridging science and literature, a forerunner of later Enlightenment thinkers who combined multiple disciplines.
Impact on British Poetry and Satire
Arbuthnot’s legacy lies in his ability to combine humor, social critique, and scientific rationalism. His work influenced subsequent British poets and satirists who sought to engage public issues with wit and clarity.
By focusing on practical concerns and using accessible language, Arbuthnot helped democratize British poetry. His participation in the Scriblerus Club also cemented the tradition of literary collaboration in the 18th century.
Conclusion
John Arbuthnot, though less celebrated than some of his peers, was a vital figure in 18th Century British poetry. His dual career as a physician and satirist allowed him to blend scientific rationalism with literary wit. Arbuthnot’s poetry reflects the core values of the Augustan Age—clarity, order, and social critique—while maintaining a unique accessibility and humor.
His collaboration with literary giants like Pope and Swift places him firmly within the tradition of British poetry that combined art with moral and political engagement. Arbuthnot’s legacy enriches our understanding of the period and demonstrates how poetry served as a vehicle for intellectual discourse and societal reflection.
Understanding Arbuthnot’s life and work broadens our view of 18th Century British poetry, revealing a complex interplay of science, literature, and satire that shaped the cultural landscape of Britain and influenced future generations.
