“I shall be ambitious to have it said of me, that I have brought Philosophy out of Closets and Libraries, Schools and Colleges, to dwell in Clubs and Assemblies, at Tea-Tables, and in Coffee- Houses.”

To whom do you attribute this famous statement?

The correct option is Joseph Addison.

This famous quote is attributed to the English essayist, poet, and dramatist Joseph Addison. It appears in the tenth issue of The Spectator, a highly influential daily publication founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, published on March 12, 1711.

In this essay, Addison explains the moral and intellectual purpose of The Spectator. During the early 18th century, philosophy and formal learning were largely confined to academic institutions, private libraries, and aristocratic closets. Addison aimed to democratize knowledge and make philosophical, literary, and social discussions accessible to the general public.

By bringing philosophy to "Clubs and Assemblies, at Tea-Tables, and in Coffee-Houses," Addison and Steele sought to foster polite conversation, refine public manners, and stimulate intellectual curiosity in the everyday social spaces of London society.