Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), English author. Swift is now best known for his book Gulliver's Travels. Originally published pseudonymously in the style of a travel reporter, it is a satire on human morals, which anticipated many current debates in law and animal rights. Swift began his career as a private secretary. In 1694 he went into the church and moved to Dublin, Ireland. He obtained a doctorate in 1701 and visited England, returning to his Irish parish with Esther (Stella) Johnson. Although there is no documented proof, it is thought they married and lived together till her death in 1728. Swift was politically active in Anglo-Irish relations, both writing and lobbying.