Answer:
Joseph Addison and Richard Steele
Explanation:
Joseph Addison and Richard Steele are credited with the popularization of the essay. Addison was an English essayist, poet, playwright and politician. Steele, on the other hand, was an Irish writer, playwright and politician. The two collaborated for many years, and they also founded The Spectator Magazine. This magazine published a series of essays, both by the founders and by other collaborators. This publication was extremely influential in popularizing the essay.
