The Resume

(April 22, 1707-October 8, 1754)
Wrote 'Shamela (1741),' 'Joseph Andrews (1742),' 'The Life of Jonathan Wild the Great (1743),' 'Tom Jones (1749)' and 'Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon (published posthumously, 1755)'
Worked as a justice of the peace
Sometimes used the pen name 'Captain Hercules Vinegar'

Why he might be annoying:

He was trained as a lawyer.
He ruthlessly mocked writers he didn't like.
As a judge, he issued a warrant to arrest another author for 'murdering the English language.'
He got into lots of fights as a kid.
He hated Catholics.
He was reportedly a womanizer and drunk.
When his wife died, he got her maid pregnant and married her (in that order).
He wrote a play called 'Rape Upon Rape.'

Why he might not be annoying:

He grew up poor.
His books are witty and caustic.
He wasn't afraid of pissing off the censors, and boldly satirized the politicians of his time.
Because they were so afraid of him, Parliament banned satire from the stage altogether.
His daughter died at age six.
As a judge, he helped build up the police force and lower the crime rate.

Credit: Wieland Kalligaro

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Ant Eaters/Pinocchios [Big Noses]
• Born on Earth Day [April 22nd] (Ranked: 1707)
• I Attended Eton
• I Got Gout
• I Outlived My Child
• I was Falsely Reported Dead
• I Write Bildungsroman
• Judges
• Lion Manes
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing Military Garb
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Poets
• Powdered Wig Wearers
• Profiles 13501-13750 (Ranked: 13663)
• Satirists and Wits
• Wieland Kalligaro's Profiles [Series 4]

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 29 Votes: 37.93% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 32 Votes: 59.38% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 69 Votes: 73.91% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 95 Votes: 66.32% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 173 Votes: 65.32% Annoying