Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish writer, best known for his satirical works such as "Gulliver's Travels" and "A Modest Proposal." He was a clergyman and political pamphleteer, and his writing often critiqued the social and political issues of his time. Swift's works are characterized by their wit, humor, and sharp criticism of human nature and society. He is considered one of the greatest satirists in the English language and his works continue to be studied and admired for their enduring relevance and insight.