Author: Sterling, Joseph
Biography:
STERLING, Joseph (fl 1765-94: ODNB)
Nothing is known about his family and no records have been located for his birth and death. He entered Trinity College Dublin in 1765 but did not graduate; he was ordained but did not practice. The Rev. Anthony Sterling of Waterford Cathedral subscribed to his Bombarino (1768) and likely was a relation. His Poems (1782) are dedicated to Henrietta Dickson, wife of William Dickson, Lord Bishop of Down and Connor; Cambuscan, Sterling’s 1785 continuation of Chaucer’s “Squire’s Tale,” is dedicated to William Dickson. One poem is addressed to William Preston (q.v.) as a friend. In later life he lived in London and was wealthy enough for Thomas Dermody (q.v.) to appeal to him for money. The Preface to the 1789 edition of his Poems states that Sterling was offended by a 1787 critique in John Murray’s English Review; the review is positive in some respects but takes Sterling to task for using “Hibernian” rhymes. (ODNB 28 Oct. 2021; English Review 10 [1787]) SR