Rev. Samuel Madden, D.D., commonly called "Premium" Madden, was born on December 23, 1686, in Dublin, Ireland. His father was John Madden, and his mother was Mary Molyneux.

In 1729, he wrote a tragedy entitled Themistocles, the Lover of His Country.

In 1731, established premiums for learning at Trinity College, Dublin (which led to his nickname) and, along with Thomas Prior, founded the Royal Dublin Society.

In 1733, he wrote Memoirs of the Twentieth Century, one of the first science fiction novels. However, it was suppressed by Sir Robert Walpole, and is now very rare. A reprint of the original sheets appeared with Garland Publishing in 1972 (ISBN 0824005708). The work was originally designed to have six volumes yet discontinued after volume one.

In 1738, he wrote his most famous work, Reflections and Resolutions Proper for the Gentlemen of Ireland, in which he described the poor living conditions in Ireland at the time.

Samuel Madden died on December 31, 1765, at age 79.