Joseph Haydn, Irish Journalist, Author of Dictionary of Dates, Dies

  • January 17, 1856

Joseph Timothy Haydn, (1788/1793–1856), newspaper editor and compiler of reference works, was born in Lisbon in 1788 or 1793, the son of Thomas Haydn, a protestant Irish expatriate. He was educated in Portugal before he moved to Dublin in 1818 to found The Stage, an unsuccessful review of Dublin theatres, having earlier ghost-written a History of the Azores for Thomas Ashe, a self-appointed ‘captain of the light dragoons'.

He had an interesting and varied career that included his work as a newspaper editor and a compiler of reference works. His birthplace in Lisbon and his subsequent move to Dublin reflect his international background.

His publication, “The Stage,” which reviewed Dublin theaters, and his involvement in ghostwriting demonstrate his contributions to the literary and publishing world. Haydn’s work, particularly his reference works, would have had a lasting impact and provided valuable information for readers and researchers of his time.

His biography and career are of historical interest, especially in the context of 19th-century literature and journalism in Ireland and his connection to the Azores through ghostwriting for Thomas Ashe.