ADDISON, JOSEPH, born 1672, died 1719. Addison's brilliant literary career has drawn away general attention from his official position in the government of his time, and his occupation as one of the lords commissioners of trade (see BOARD OF TRADE). His remarks (No. 69 of the Spectator) on the importance of the traffic of the merchant in reference to the general prosperity of the country may still be read with interest as embodying those facts on which the principles of free trade rest.