Draft:Robert Eddison (aphorist)

Robert Fitz-Randolph Eddison was born on 8 May 1933 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. He was educated at Wellington College in Berkshire, England. He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1958 with a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages and Law.

A selection of Eddison's aphorisms appeared in two editions of The Fountain, the alumni magazine of Trinity College, Cambridge. The following aphorisms were published in Autumn 2011 in Issue 13 of the magazine: (Page 5) "Some knighthoods are not worth the cheques they are written on."; (Page 7) "The dove of peace is often devoured by the dogs of war."; (Page 9) "Skeletons in the cupboard only cause problems when rattled."; (Page 11) "Traditionalists forget that they owe their traditions to their iconoclastic ancestors."; (Page 13) "No martyr likes to be crossed."; (Page 15) "Crashing bores should talk less and crash more."^[1]

Issue 14 of The Fountain, published in Spring 2012, featured these aphorisms: (Page 5) "Misery is best guaranteed by the neglect of one's talent."; (Page 7) "Many work in the shadows to give others a place in the sun."; (Page 9) "Nothing dulls the creative imagination quicker than routine."; (Page 11) "Only by poisoning the root of oppression can we enjoy the fruits of free speech."^[2]

His aphorism "It takes a sharp tongue to speak bluntly." was quoted in the British daily national newspaper The Times on 13 July 2015.^[3]

His first book, Wisdom & Wordplay, was published in 2017 and comprised 300 original aphorisms with a Foreword by the author Gyles Brandreth. The front cover featured an original illustration by the cartoonist Jonathan Pugh.

The book was launched on 25 October 2017 at the Institute of Directors in London, England where he was interviewed by the author Stanley Johnson.^[4] On the same day, an article on the book was published by the British charity Blind Veterans UK.^[5]

The Times quoted two aphorisms from the book on 28 October 2017: “Narcissists have only themselves to praise.” and “To gluttons, dessert is always worth the weight.”.^[6] On 31 October 2017, two further aphorisms from the book appeared in the newspaper: “No ageing diva wants to be seen in a good light.” and “Having the world at your feet can go to your head.”.^[7]

Eddison was a guest on the podcast Conversations Live on 22 December 2017 where he was interviewed by the author Cyrus Webb.^[8]

He was invited to discuss his aphorisms on The Arts Show on BBC Radio Ulster on 28 December 2017.^[9]

The book was nominated for The People's Book Prize in 2018.^[10]

On 5 October 2020 and 17 November 2020 Eddison discussed his interest in aphorisms with the broadcaster Jeremy Nicholas.^{[11] [12]}

The Eddison Aphorism Prize competition was established by Trinity College, Cambridge in 2021, following a donation from Eddison to the College. The annual competition rewards the top three students who have each written a concise and clever aphorism.

On 4 December 2021 Eddison was interviewed about his aphorisms by the presenter Neil Oliver on the British television and radio channel GB News.^[13]

In 2022 he wrote an aphorism which came in second place in the Wilde Wit competition, run by The Oscar Wilde Society, The Oldie magazine and The Chap magazine. The annual competition awards prizes to the three best original aphorisms that sound like something Oscar Wilde may have said. Eddison's aphorism was "The quickest way to make your name is to lose your reputation.".^[14]

He came in first place in the 2023 edition of the competition with his aphorism "Given sufficient notice, one can always be spontaneous.". It was read by Gyles Brandreth in a short video in his capacity as Honorary President of the Oscar Wilde Society.^[15] The result was noted by The Times on 27 July 2023.^[16]

Eddison's other books of original aphorisms are Peeing is Relieving (2021), Lust At First Swipe (2022) and Within (2022).