DODSLEY, ROBERT, an eminent bookseller, and
ingenious writer, born at Mansfield in Nottingham-
shire, in the year 1703. He was not indebted to
education for his literary fame, being originally a li-
very servant; but his natural genius, and early passion
for reading, soon elevated him to a superior station.
He wrote an elegant little satirical farce called The Toy-
shop, which was acted with applause in 1735, and which
recommended him to the patronage of Mr Pope. The
following year he produced the King and Miller of
Mansfield. The profits of these two farces enabled
him to commence bookseller, and his own merit pro-
cured him eminence in that profession. He wrote some
other dramatic pieces, and published a collection of his
works in one vol. 8vo, under the modest title of Trifles;
which was followed by Public Virtue, a poem in 4to.
Mr Dodsey was the author of the Economy of Hu-
man Life, a work which acquired considerable cele-
brity; but for this, it is supposed to have been in-
debted to the mistaken opinion which long prevailed of
its being the production of Lord Chesterfield.