He
would appear to have been a Franciscan monk,
who composed two crude but striking poems
in the Veronese dialect on the subjects respect-
ively of heaven and hell, « The Celestial Jerusa-
lem' being one and (The Infernal City of
Babylon' the other.
would appear to have been a Franciscan monk,
who composed two crude but striking poems
in the Veronese dialect on the subjects respect-
ively of heaven and hell, « The Celestial Jerusa-
lem' being one and (The Infernal City of
Babylon' the other.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v29 - BIographical Dictionary
An Italian lit-
erary critic and dramatist; born in Florence,
Aug. 12, 1493; died there, July 24, 1563. Origi-
nally a stocking-weaver, he devoted his leisure
to study, became known for his learning, and
held thronged public readings upon Dante. His
writings, partly in dialogue form, are excellent
specimens of the Italian of the sixteenth century.
Readings in the Florentine Academy,! (Read-
ings on Petrarch, Lectures on Dante,' and
similar studies, are authoritative upon their
respective subjects. His comedies — Sport,
founded upon the Aulularia) of Plautus, and
(Error,' a broad burlesque -- are famous in Ital-
ian literature.
Gellius, Aulus (jel'i-us). A Latin diarist
and prose-writer; born in Rome (? ), about 130
A. D. ; died about 180. Like other rich youths,
he studied in the best schools at Rome and
finished off at Athens; in Rome he held judi-
cial office for some years. The Attic Nights,
which he must thank for his fame, is based on
his diary; and it owes much of its interest to
the fact that every modern writer of historical
novels dealing with the period from Augustus
to Marcus Aurelius is compelled to study its
gossipy pages, owing to the unrivaled verisi-
militude of its pictures. *
Gemmingen, Baron Otto Heinrich von
(gem'ing-en). A German dramatist; born in
Heilbronn, Nov. 5, 1755; died at Heidelberg,
March 15, 1836. He was in the diplomatic
service of Baden for a time, and his first
dramatic productions saw the light at Vienna.
His best-known works are : (The German
Family Man,' a play in metre, founded upon
Diderot's (Father of a Family); and a brilliant
adaptation of Shakespeare's (Richard II. He
wrote a number of minor plays, most of them
metrical.
Genast, Karl Albert Wilhelm (gä-näst). A
German poet and dramatist; born in Leipsic,
July 30, 1822; died at Weimar, Jan. 18, 1887.
He studied law and then entered politics, be-
coming one of the leaders of the popular party
at Weimar. Bernhard of Weimar,' a tragedy,
(Little Thorn-Rose, a volume of poems, and
(Florian Geyer,' a novel, are his most notable
works.
Genée, Rudolf (zhă-nā). A German literary
critic, dramatist, and poet; born in Berlin, Dec.
12, 1824. He abandoned wood engraving for
journalism, and then became an instructor in
literature at Berlin. As a reader and in-
terpreter of Shakespeare he attained distinc-
tion; but his plays - ( The Prodigy) (1854), A
(
## p. 213 (#229) ############################################
GENLIS- GERBERT DE MONTREUIL
213
New Timon,' (In Front of the Cannon,) (The
(female) Hermit,' and adaptations from Sher-
idan, - raised him to the front rank. His
works in criticism, treating of German poetry,
the drama, and kindred themes, are standard.
Marienburg is his successful historical novel.
Genlis, Stéphanie Félicité Ducrest de
Saint-Aubin, Comtesse de (zhon-les'). A
French miscellaneous writer; born at Champ-
céri near Autun, Jan. 25, 1746; died at Paris,
Dec. 31, 1830. Among her writings, which
amount to about 90 volumes, are several little
comedies intended to be acted by her pupils,
the children of the Duke of Chartres; some
stories, among them the romance (Mademoi-
selle de Clermont) (1802); (Unpublished Me.
moirs on the Eighteenth Century and the
French Revolution' (10 vols. , 1825); "Baron
d'Holbach's Dinners. )
Gensichen, Otto Fanz (gen'sich-en). A Ger-
man dramatist; born in Driesen, Feb. 4, 1847.
He has produced a wide variety of pieces, as
(Caius Gracchus) and Danton, tragedies ;
Euphrosyne,' (Phryne,' and (Aspasia,' spec-
tacular plays; and several one-act (curtain-
raisers. ” His most brilliant effects have been
obtained with historical love-stories. He has
produced a volume of miscellaneous poetry
and a historical novel of merit.
Gentil-Bernard, Pierre Joseph Bernard
called (zhon-tēl' or zhon-tē'bār-när'). A French
poet and dramatist; born in Grenoble, Aug.
26, 1708; died at Choisy-le-Roi (? ), Nov. 1, 1775.
He was educated by the Jesuits at Lyons, and
rose to the chief secretaryship on Marshal de
Coigny's staff. He became immensely fashion-
able in all the salons in 1737, when his Castor
and Pollux appeared, with music by Rameau.
Voltaire wrote him a letter of appreciation,
comparing him with Ovid, and bestowing the
title of “Gentil-Bernard » upon him. “The Art
of Love,' another of his works, is, like all his
productions, highly erotic and in utterly false
taste.
Gentz, Friedrich von (gents). A German
publicist and controversial writer; born in Bres-
lau, May 2, 1764; died near Vienna, June 9, 1832.
His early predilections were favorable to the
French Revolution; later he attacked it in
various writings, including translations from
Edmund Burke, Mallet du Pan, and Mounier.
His political career was very brilliant. He
labored assiduously to form the Holy Alliance.
He was a very able and persuasive writer of
political pamphlets and of books against Napo.
leon; the most widely read being (Origin and
Character of the War against the French Revo-
lution, and Fragments of a History of the
Balance of Power in Europe.
Geoffrey of Monmouth (jef'ri). A British
chronicler; born in Monmouth (? ), 1100 (? );
died at Llandaff, 1154. In his (Chronicle or
History of the Britons, we are afforded a
myriorama of Albion's Olympus, with Merlin
and King Arthur, Lancelot and Tristan, and
several ladies, indulging themselves in the char-
acteristically lax and delightful manner of fanci-
ful personages.
George, Amara, pseudonym of Mathilde
Kaufmann. A German poet and story-writer;
born (Binder) in Nuremberg, Dec. 5, 1835. Her
reputation was achieved with "Blooms of the
Night,' a collection of poems. She has written
pleasing tales, among them “Before Daybreak.
George, Henry. An American political econ-
omist; born in Philadelphia, Sept. 2, 1839;
died in New York, Oct. 29, 1897. His Progress
and Poverty) was published in 1879. Mr.
George removed to New York in 1880. The
following year (The Irish Land Question was
given to the world. In 1886 he was candidate
of the United Labor party for mayor of New
York. He subsequently founded the Standard,
a weekly newspaper. Social Problems) ap-
peared in 1884, and Protection or Free Trade)
in 1886. (The Perplexed Philosopher, etc. , fol-
lowed. A posthumous work on political econ-
omy is announced for publication in 1898. He
was candidate for mayor of Greater New York
at the time of his death.
Gerard, Dorothea (ji-rärd'). A Scotch nov-
elist; born in Rochsoles, Lanarkshire, Aug. 9,
1855. ller youth was passed on the Continent.
and she married an Austrian, Major Julius
Longard. She wrote in collaboration with her
sister, Reata) (1880) and (Beggar My Neigh-
bor); and subsequently, alone, Lady Baby)
and (Recha) (1890). The latter was esteemed
her best. Miss Providence appeared in 1897.
Gérard de Nerval (zhā-rär'dė ner-väl'),
pseudonym of Gérard Labrunie. A French
poet, dramatist, and novelist ; born in Paris,
May 21, 1808; committed suicide there, Jan.
25, 1855. His National Elegies,' written at
college and published at 19, reached two edi.
tions. He made a brilliant translation of
(Faust); and had a comedy, 'Tartuffe at Moli-
ère's, brought out at 22. (The Queen of
Sheba, a play written in collaboration with
the elder Dumas; (A Voyage to Greece,' a
book of travel; (Lorelei, a novel; (Misan-
thropy and Remorse,' an imaginative tale ;
(The Alchemist,' a play; and Dream and
Reality,' a romance, are among his most im-
portant later works. But the splendid career
and fortune within his reach were ruined by
his improvidence and recklessness, which grew
on him with age, till he was reduced to the
direst poverty, and ended by hanging himself.
He was one of the most imaginative and
graceful writers of his country. The use of
pseudonyms was habitual with him, "Aloysius,
« Fritz," and "Lord Pilgrim » among them.
Gerbert de Montreuil (zher-bār' de môn.
trėy'). A French poet of the thirteenth cen-
tury. His most noted work is a continuation
of a romance of the Grail, or tale of knight-
hood, written by Chrestien de Troyes and en-
. titled The Cavalier. ) Another production,
of about 1225, is the Romance of the Violet,'
## p. 214 (#230) ############################################
214
GERHARDT - GHERARDI DEL TESTA
known also as (Gérard de Nevers); it is the
model taken by Weber for his 'Euryanthe,' and
by Shakespeare for (Cymbeline.
Gerhardt, Paul (gār'hardt). A German
hymn-writer of great eminence; born in Gräfen-
hainichen, Saxony, March 12, 1607; died at
Lübben, June 7, 1676. He was a stubbornly
separatist Lutheran clergyman, involved in the
political turmoils of the time. The production
of his more than 100 famous hymns - including
particularly “O Head all blood and wounds,
Now all the woodlands rest,” “Oh, how shall
I receive Thee ? )– began about 1600. They
made an epoch in psalmody.
Gerle, Wolfgang Adolf (gār'le). A German
story-writer and dramatist; born in Prague, July
9, 1781; died there by his own hand, June 29,
1846. He was a prolific author of works of light
fiction, employing at times different pseudo-
nyms, such as “G. Erle,” « Konrad Spät,"
( Hilarius Kurzweil," and others. "Corals,
(Schelmufsky's Strange Adventure, and Moon-
light Pictures and Shadows,' are popular. His
plays, some written in collaboration with other
authors, have been staged with success.
Gerok, Karl (gā-rõk'). A German religious
poet; born in Vaihingen, Jan. 30, 1815; died at
Stuttgart, Jan. 14, 1890. Palm Leaves,' his
first ambitious effort, brought out in 1857, estab-
lished his reputation; and in the ensuing years
he put forth many collections of verse, mostly
of a deeply religious and devotional character.
They include : (In Lonely Ways, ( Flowers and
Stars, (Beneath the Evening Star,' and (The
Last Nosegay. His patriotic songs are widely
known.
Gerstäcker, Friedrich (ger'stek-er or gār'.
stek-er). A German writer of travel and fic-
tion; born in Hamburg, May 10, 1816; died in
Brunswick, May 31, 1872. He was the son of
an opera singer who left him orphaned at an
early age. After a seven-years' self-supporting
tour in the United States, begun at 20, he re-
turned to Germany and wrote: (Sight-Seeing
and Hunting Trips through the Cnited States,
(The Regulators of Arkansas, Mississippi
Scenes,' and other most interesting books
which gave him speedy fame. He afterwards
journeyed through Mexico and Venezuela, put-
ting his impressions into works that sold widely.
As a story-writer on his experiences of travel
_(California Sketches, (Under the Equator,'
"In Mexico, etc. - he has been fairly successful.
Gerstenberg, Heinrich Wilhelm von (gār'.
sten-bārg). A German dramatist, critic, and
poet; born in Tondern, Schleswig, Jan. 3, 1737;
died at Altona, Nov. 1, 1823. He studied law
at Jena, and then entered the Danish army.
He subsequently lived in Copenhagen. His
literary career began with (Trifles,' a collection
of verse. (War Songs of the Danish Grena-
diers,' (Song of a Scandinavian Bard,' (The
Bride,' and ,Ariadne in Naxos,' succeeded, -
important and in many respects splendid ef.
forts of poetic genius. His Letters on the
Striking Things in Literature, and his tragedy
of Ugolino' have proved very popular. As a
critic he pays special attention to Shakespeare
and to the old dramatists of England.
Gervinus, Georg Gottfried (ger-fe'nös). A
German historian and critic; born in Darm-
stadt, May 20, 1805; died at Heidelberg, March
18, 1871. His early work, History of the Anglo-
Saxons,' procured him a place at Heidelberg
in 1830, and after some preparatory travel he
settled down to scholarship. History of Ger-
man National Literature, and History of
German Imaginative Poetry and Prose) mark
this period. He next became professor of liter-
ature and history at Göttingen, bringing out his
(Essentials of Historic Science. His political
activity, however, caused him to lose his pro-
fessorship, and he began a rather wandering
career as writer, educator, and agitator until
1847, when he helped found and edited the
Deutsche Zeitung. "History of the Nineteenth
Century, (Händel and Shakespeare,' and many
important contributions to criticism and the
philosophy of history, made during this period,
shed lustre upon his name.
Geszner, Salomon (ges'ner). A Swiss poet
and painter; born in Zürich, April 1, 1730; died
there, March 2, 1788. Painting and etching were
his earliest pursuits, and he distinguished him-
self in both; but his friendship with Wieland
and Kleist turned him towards literature. His
first success as a poet was in the (Song of
the Swiss to his Armed Sweetheart, in 1751.
Daphnis) and a volume of Idylls) spread
his fame widely, and the Death of Abel had
great vogue in its day. He affected a mock-
heroic style that is now distasteful.
Gevaert, François Auguste (gė-văr'). A
French composer and writer on music; born
at Huysse, near Oudenarde, July 30, 1828. He
is the composer of several successful operas,
and was inspector of music at the Academy
of Music, Paris, from 1867 to 1870. Since that
time he has devoted himself to the history of
music. His publications include : History and
Theory of Music in Antiquity) (first part, 1875);
(Treatise on Instrumentation); “The Origin of
the Liturgic Chant in the Latin Church' (1890).
Geyter, Julius de (chā'tėr). A Flemish poet;
born in Lede, May 25, 1830. He was in early
life a school-teacher and later a law-court offi-
cial, but for many years he has been connected
with a bank in Antwerp. His best-known work
is the epic (Emperor Charles. His songs, which
deal with national heroic topics, and his can-
tatas, are exquisitely melodious and metrically
perfect, and are favorites with his people.
Gherardi del Testa, Tommaso (gā-rär'dē
del tes'tä). An Italian comedy-writer ; born in
Terriciuola, near Pisa, 1815; died near Pistoja,
Oct. 13, 1881. After studying at Pisa, he set-
tled as a lawyer in Florence; but in 1848 he
enlisted for the war with Austria and was taken
prisoner. He had already written (The Son of
an Ilegitimate,' a novel; but he now turned his
(
(
(
## p. 215 (#231) ############################################
GHISLANZONI - GIDDINGS
215
attention entirely to comedy, and rose rapidly
to prominence through the inimitable drollery
of his dialogue and the originality of his situa-
tions. "George's System,' ( Men Must Not be
Trifled With,' and (The Reign of Adelaide,
are conspicuous among his many productions.
Of a less mirthful but more satirical nature are
(The Fashion and the Family,' New Lite,'
(The False Letters, and other efforts of his
maturer years.
Ghislanzoni, Antonio (ges-län-zo'nē). An
Italian dramatist, journalist, and humorist;
born in Lecco, 1824; died there, July 18, 1893.
He first studied medicine, then became an
opera-singer, finally entering political journal-
ism. In the upheavals of 1848 he had various
adventures, including capture on the battle-
field. He lost his voice shortly after the return
of peace, and for a time supported himself by
writing for the comic papers, founding one or
two himself. He tried his hand at many kinds
of literary work, and was most successful as a
writer of librettos, Aida' being probably the
best. He has produced Book of Oddities,
(A Forbidden Book, Fashion in Art,' and
numerous similar volumes, all of a rather
ephemeral nature.
Giacometti, Paolo (jä-ko-met'e). An Ital-
ian dramatist; born in Novi Ligure, March
19, 1816; died at Rome, August 1882. He
achieved distinction in his twentieth year with
a drama, Rosilda,' written during his law-
student days in Genoa. Forced into literary
work by his family's poverty, his dramaturgic
talent attained him a competence. Sickness
and domestic adversity did not interfere with
his prolific genius, and his plays show aston-
ishing versatility. "Queen Elizabeth of Eng.
land, (Torquato Tasso,' and 'Lucrezia David-
son,' tragedies; (Sophocles,' his masterpiece,
also a tragedy; and numerous comedies, in-
cluding 'The Woman with a Second Husband,
are among the popular examples of his work.
Giacomino da Verona (jä-ko-me'nö dä vā.
rõ'nä). An Italian poet of the thirteenth
century. He owes his importance in literature
chiefly to his anticipation of Dante, and such
influence as his work may have had upon the
form and spirit of the Divine Comedy.
He
would appear to have been a Franciscan monk,
who composed two crude but striking poems
in the Veronese dialect on the subjects respect-
ively of heaven and hell, « The Celestial Jerusa-
lem' being one and (The Infernal City of
Babylon' the other.
Giacosa, Giuseppe (ja-ko'sa). An Italian
dramatist; born in Colleretto-Parella, Pied-
mont, Oct. 21, 1847. A lawyer for many years,
the success of one or two plays in metrical
form, the fruit of his leisure, led him to turn
playwright solely. His wit and taste have long
made him popular. «The Husband in Love
with his Wife) and (Brothers in Arms) are
his best productions, but of great merit are
(The Sons of the Marquis) and Arthur. He
is the author of both dramas and comedies,
and his treatment of contemporary Italian
social life is irresistibly satirical.
Giannone, Pietro (jän-no'nā). An Italian
poet; born in Campo Santo, near Modena,
1790; died at Florence, Dec. 24, 1873. When a
lad he entered the army of the first Napoleon,
on whose fall he went to Rome and lived by
his pen. His political affiliations caused his
imprisonment, and later he lived in exile at
Paris; but finally settled in Florence. The
Exile) and “The Vision) are his masterpieces;
but he wrote much and well, patriotism and
Italian political evils affording him his inspira-
tion.
Gibbon, Charles. A British novelist; born
1836; died Aug. 15, 1890. The Scotch masses
were studied by him with enthusiasm, afford-
ing subjects for 'Robin Gray) and the Jacobite
tale For the King'; but his "For Lack of
Gold) and A Heart's Problem, and one or
two more, indicate exhaustion, although «The
Braes of Yarrow) is a fine work.
Gibbon, Edward. A great English historian;
born at Putney Surrey, April 27, 1737; died
at London, Jan. 15, 1794. His writings are:
(Essay on the Study of Literature (1761), in
French; Critical Observations' (1770), on one
of the arguments of Warburton's "Divine Le-
gation of Moses); "History of the Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire) (6 vols. , 1776-88);
(Vindication of the 15th and 16th chapters of
the History) (1779); (Miscellaneous Works,
with Memoir Composed by Himself (1796).
It has lately been discovered that this Memoir
was not printed as written by Gibbon, but had
been changed in important particulars by who-
ever prepared it for the press. *
Gibbons, James (Cardinal). An American
prelate of great celebrity ; born in Baltimore,
July 23, 1834. He was raised to the cardinalate
June 30, 1886. His contributions to secular and
religious reviews are frequent and valuable.
Among his published works are: (The Faith
of Our Fathers); (Our Christian Heritage);
(The Ambassador of Christ); etc.
Gibson, William Hamilton. An American
artist and author; born in Sandy Hook, Conn. ,
Oct. 5, 1850; died 1896. A specialist in botan.
ical drawing, he contributed to the American
Agriculturist and Hearth and Home, and sup-
plied many natural-history subjects for the
(American Cyclopædia. Many of his illustra-
tions appeared in the Art Journal and in Pict-
uresque America; and his illustrations of books
were numerous and popular. He was a mem-
ber of the Art Union and the Authors' Club.
The essays (Birds of Plumage,' (A Winter
Idyl, and "Springtime,' appeared in Harper's
Magazine. His later works included (Our Edi.
ble Toadstools and Mushrooms.
Giddings, Joshua Reed. An eminent Ameri.
can lawyer, politician, and author; born at
Athens, Pa. , Oct. 6, 1795; died at Montreal, May
27, 1864. He was admitted to the Ohio bar
in 1820 ; elected a member of its Legislature
## p. 216 (#232) ############################################
216
GIESEBRECHT --- GILBERT
in 1826, and of Congress in 1838, where he was
prominent as an opponent of slavery. In
1861 he was appointed consul-general to British
North America. Among his works are : (The
Exiles of Florida' (1858); History of the
Rebellion' (1864).
Giesebrecht, Ludwig (ge'ze-brecht). A Ger-
man poet ; born in Mirow, Mecklenburg-Strelitz,
July 5, 1792; died at Jasenitz, near Stettin, March
18, 1873. He was a clergyman's son ; studied at
the University of Berlin, and later at Stettin ;
fought in the German war of liberation (1813);
and subsequently became a professor. (Epic
Poems, “Wendish Tales,' and poetry in dialect,
comprise his most popular productions.
Giffen, Robert, Sir. An English editor, statis-
tician, and writer on economic and financial
subjects; born at Strathaven, Lanarkshire,
Scotland, in 1837. At first in trade at Glasgow,
in 1862 he came to London, where he was sub-
editor of the Globe till 1800. He was acting
editor of the Economist under Walter Bagehot
1868-76; then founded the Statist, and became
chief of the Statistical Department in the Board
of Trade - since 1882 its assistant Secretary.
He was John Morley's assistant on the Fort-
nightly Review 1873-76; and is the author of a
number of reports, papers, and essays, which
have given him a high rank. (American Rail-
ways as Investments) appeared in 1873, and
was followed by (Stock Exchange Securities)
(1877); “Essays in Finance) (1879); (The Pro-
gress of the Working Classes in the Last Half
Century) (1884).
Gifford, William. An English satirical poet,
translator, and critic; born at Ashburton, Dev.
onshire, April 1756; died in London, Dec. 31,
1826. His (Baviad) (1791), based on Juvenal's
first satire, and his Mæviad) (1795), founded
upon Horace, both aimed at the Della Crusca
poetlings, gave him an authoritative position
in the literary world. He edited the Anti-
Jacobin for a time; but his supreme later posi-
tion was as editor of the Quarterly Review,
the great Tory organ, which made him a power
in politics as well as letters. He probably
wrote the famous review of Keats's (Endy-
mion,' inaccurately supposed to have killed that
poet.
Gil Polo, Gaspar (Hēl poʻlo). A Spanish
poet; born in Valencia about 1535; died at
Barcelona in 1591. He was a lawyer in his
native town, and successſul; but his principal
fame arises from his poems,- one of them,
Diana Enamored, being a gem of Spanish
literature. It is a continuation of Montemay.
or’s (Diana, but excels that production in
beauty of style and metre, and in the number
and variety of its episodes, lifting its author
high above the lyric level of his time.
Gil Vicente (Hēl vē-then'tā). A Portuguese
dramatist and actor, father of the drama of
his country; born in Lisbon (? ), about 1475;
died there (? ), about 1536 or 1538. He studied
law, and was a goldsmith in early manhood.
His first play was a pastoral in Spanish, writ-
ten in 1502 in honor of the birth of the Portu-
guese prince royal (ufterward John III. ). This
made an immense hit at court, and thereafter
he wrote every new play that was acted at
the royal festivals. Farces, comedies, dramas,
and tragedies, of keen wit, originality, and
great poetic talent, appear among his works,
which rank him beside the very great authors
not of Portugal only, but of the whole Ibe-
rian peninsula. He originated many of the
methods and canons of taste that are now the
accepted tenets of the European theatre. In
construction and dialogue, his Dom Duardos)
and “Amadis de Gaula are masterpieces. (Inez
Pereira) is the best of his farces.
Gil y Zárate, Don Antonio (Hēl ē thâ'rä-tā).
A Spanish dramatist ; born in the Escorial, Dec.
I, 1793; died at Madrid, Jan. 27, 1861. Mathe-
matics and physics were his university special-
ties; but he entered upon a political career
when a young man, attaining an important post
in the Ministry of the Interior in 1820. The
revolutions in Spain forced him out of public
life, and he became a professor at the Madrid
Lyceum. About this time he turned to play.
writing ; and a tragedy, Doña Blanca de Bor-
bon,' made his name widely known in 1832.
His next efforts were less conventionally clas-
sical and more on the romantic order. "Carlos
II. , the Bewitched, is one of his most cele-
brated tragedies, but (Guzman the Good' is by
far the best. "Rosmunda) and (Don Alvaro
de Luna' also stand at the head of the collec-
tion of plays that have won for him the pre-
miership of the modern Spanish drama.
Gilbert, John Thomas. An Irish historical
writer; born in Dublin, Ireland, 1829. He is
the editor of a series of important publications
entitled Historic Literature of Ireland. To
his enterprise and energy is largely due the
revival of interest in Celtic studies. His prin-
cipal published works include: "History of the
City of Dublin (1854-59); “History of Affairs
in Ireland, 1641-52) (1879-81); History of
the Irish Confederation and War in Ireland,
1641-49) (1882-90).
Gilbert, Josiah. An English artist and writer
on art; born at the Independent College,
Rotherham, Yorkshire, Oct. 7, 1814: He was
student at the Royal Academy, and practiced
as a portrait-painter for several years; but
since 1843 has been engaged in literary pur-
suits and art criticism. He is the author of:
(Art, its Scope and Purpose) (1858); "Cadore,
or Titian's Country) (1869); (Art and Religion)
(1871); was joint author of "The Dolomite
Mountains) (1864); and published Landscape
in Art before Claude and Salvator) (1885).
Gilbert, Nicolas Joseph Laurent (zhel-bãr).
A French poet; born in Fontenoy-le-Chateau,
Lorraine, in 1751; died insane at Paris, Nov. 16,
1780. He went to Paris in his teens to make
himself a poet. The “philosophers, who then
lorded it over all forms of literature at Paris,
conceived a violent hatred of his satirical
(
## p. 217 (#233) ############################################
GILBERT - GILM ZU ROSENEGG
217
:
productions, which handled their pet hob- | Defoe. He also wrote several plays. In 1699
bies without gloves. Farewells to Life, My he edited Lingbaine's Dramatic Poets.
Apology, and “The Author's Carnival, are
Giles, Chauncey. An American clergyman
among his best-known pieces.
and author ; born at Charlemont, Mass. , in 1813;
Gilbert, William. An English novelist and died in 1893. He entered the Swedenborgian
biographer; born 1804; died 1889. His earlier Church in 1853, and held pastorates in Cin-
literary activity resulted in various good realistic cinnati, New York, and Philadelphia. Among
fictions, conspicuously that revelation of Lon- his numerous works, many of which have been
don dark life, De Profundis) (1864), followed translated into French, German, and Italian,
by (The Goldsworthy Family) (1864), Clara are included : (The Magic Spectacles) (1868);
Levesque) (1872), and others; his most serious (The Gate of Pearl (1869); (The New Jeru-
achievement, however, being a gallant but not salem) (1874); (The Valley of Diamonds, and
apparently very successful effort at a rehabilita- Other Stories) (1881); Perfect Prayer) (1883).
tion of Lucrezia Borgia (1809).
Giles, Henry. An American Unitarian minis-
Gilbert, William Schwenck. An English ter; born in Crokford, County Wexford, Ire-
librettist and comic poet and prose-writer; land, Nov. 1, 1809; came to the United States
born in London, Nov. 18, 1836. He prepared in 1840; died near Boston, July 10, 1882. His
for the bar, and practiced successfully; but the published works are in part: Lectures and
fame of the (Bab Ballads, and of his librettos Essays) (2 vols. , 1845); (Christian Thought on
to the scores of Pinafore, Patience, (The Life' (1850); "Human Life in Shakespeare
Mikado,' and other comic operas, eclipsed (1868); and (Lectures and Essays on Irish and
his legal attainments,– which however are not Other Subjects) (1869).
inconsiderable, for he is now a magistrate with
Gilfillan, Robert. A Scotch poet; born in
a jurisdiction near London, and writes for law
Dumfermline, July 7, 1798; died at Leith, Dec.
journals more or less regularly. *
4, 1850. His verse is very popular wherever
Gilder, Richard Watson. An American hearts warm to the tartan”; and his (Ori-
poet; born in Bordentown, N. J. , Feb. 8, 1844. ginal Songs) (1831) ran through three editions,
Since 1881 he has been editor-in-chief of the the best pieces in the collection being (The
Century. His works include : (The New Day) Exile's Song, Peter McCraw,' and 'In the
(1875); (The Celestial Passion (1887); (Lyr- Days o' Langsyne.
ics); 'Two Worlds, and Other Poems) (1891);
Gille, Philippe (zhēl). A French drama-
(The Great Remembrance, and Other Poems)
tist and journalist; born in Paris, Dec. 18, 1834.
(1893); “Five Books of Song' (1894); etc. He was originally a sculptor, and his work
Gilder, William Henry. An American jour-
attracted attention; but he put it aside for
nalist, Arctic traveler, and author, brother of
dramatic composition and journalism, succeed-
Richard W. ; born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 16,
ing in both. He has been on the staff of the
1838. He served in the Civil War, and was
Petit Journal, Figaro, and Écho de Paris. As
a librettist he has written to the scores of
brevetted a major at its close. He accom-
panied Lieutenant Schwatka in 1878 on a
eminent composers. He has produced likewise
polar expedition, and in 1881 was a member
a variety of successful plays, of the kind adapted
of the Rodgers expedition as a correspondent of
to the somewhat peculiar exigencies of the
the New York Herald. His chief works are :
Parisian stage. "Gladiator's Thirty Millions,
"Schwatka's Search) (1881); Ice Pack and
Jean de Nevelle, and My Comrade,' show
Tundra' (1883).
him probably at his best; although several
other pieces, written in collaboration and inde-
Gildersleeve, Basil Lanneau. An Ameri. pendently, have had long runs.
can classical scholar; born in Charleston, S. C. ,
Gillette, William. An American actor and
Oct. 23, 1831. He graduated at Princeton in
playwright; born in Hartford, Conn. , July 24,
1843, and studied in Germany for several years.
1853. He is the author of several successful
He was professor of Greek and Latin at the
plays, in many of which he has assumed the
University of Virginia from 1856 to 1876, when
leading parts. Among his best-known produc-
he was appointed professor of Greek at Johns
tions are : (The Professor) (1881); 'Esmeralda
Flopkins University. He is the founder and
(1881), with Mrs. F. H. Burnett ; (The Private
editor of the American Journal of Philology.
Secretary) (adapted); Held by the Enemy)
Among his works are: “Satires of Persius
(1886); (A Legal Wreck) (1888); “Too Much
Flaccus) (1875); Justin Martyr) (1875); “Odes
Johnson' (1895); and (Secret Service) (1896).
of Pindar. He has published a Latin Gram-
mar and a volume of "Essays and Studies. )
Gilm zu Rosenegg, Hermann von (gilm
tsö rõz'en-eg"). A German lyric poet; born in
Gildon, Charles. A miscellaneous English Innsbruck, Nov. I, 1812; died at Linz, May 31,
writer; born in 1665 at Gillingham in Dorset- 1864. He studied jurisprudence at the univer-
shire; died in 1724. The following works are sity in Innsbruck, and then began a career in
ascribed to him: History of the Athenian the government service, rising to positions of
Society) (1691); (The Post-Boy Robbed of responsibility by years of valuable service. Of
his Mail); Miscellany, Poems upon Various liberal tendencies in religion and politics, and
Occasions) (1692); Life and Adventures of enthusiastic in the cause of the Tyrolese, he
## p. 218 (#234) ############################################
218
GILMAN - GIRALDI
wrote (Sonnets from Tyrol and Songs of the
Natter Maids, which achieved quick success.
Other poems by him did much to maintain
among the Tyrolese the spirit that prompted
their upr for indeper nce in 1809.
Gilman, Arthur. An American educator
and author; born at Alton, Ill. , June 22, 1837.
He was engaged in the banking business in
New York from 1857 to 1862, when he removed
to Lenox, Mass. , and devoted himself to liter-
ary and educational work until 1871.
In 1876
he assisted in the organization of the Harvard
Annex, now known as Radcliffe College. Among
his works are: (First Steps in English Litera-
ture) (1870); (First Steps in General History)
(1874); History of the American People) (1883);
(Early American Explorers) (1885); “Coloniza-
tion of America' (1887).
Gilman, Caroline Howard. An American
author; born in Boston, Mass. , Oct. 8, 1794;
died in 1888. Her collected writings include:
(Recollections of a New England Housekeeper)
(1835); (Recollections of a Southern Matron)
(1836); Poetry of Traveling in the United
States) (1838); etc. The (Recollections) have
passed through many editions.
Gilman, Daniel Coit. An American edu-
cator; born at Norwich, Conn. , July 6, 1831.
erary critic and dramatist; born in Florence,
Aug. 12, 1493; died there, July 24, 1563. Origi-
nally a stocking-weaver, he devoted his leisure
to study, became known for his learning, and
held thronged public readings upon Dante. His
writings, partly in dialogue form, are excellent
specimens of the Italian of the sixteenth century.
Readings in the Florentine Academy,! (Read-
ings on Petrarch, Lectures on Dante,' and
similar studies, are authoritative upon their
respective subjects. His comedies — Sport,
founded upon the Aulularia) of Plautus, and
(Error,' a broad burlesque -- are famous in Ital-
ian literature.
Gellius, Aulus (jel'i-us). A Latin diarist
and prose-writer; born in Rome (? ), about 130
A. D. ; died about 180. Like other rich youths,
he studied in the best schools at Rome and
finished off at Athens; in Rome he held judi-
cial office for some years. The Attic Nights,
which he must thank for his fame, is based on
his diary; and it owes much of its interest to
the fact that every modern writer of historical
novels dealing with the period from Augustus
to Marcus Aurelius is compelled to study its
gossipy pages, owing to the unrivaled verisi-
militude of its pictures. *
Gemmingen, Baron Otto Heinrich von
(gem'ing-en). A German dramatist; born in
Heilbronn, Nov. 5, 1755; died at Heidelberg,
March 15, 1836. He was in the diplomatic
service of Baden for a time, and his first
dramatic productions saw the light at Vienna.
His best-known works are : (The German
Family Man,' a play in metre, founded upon
Diderot's (Father of a Family); and a brilliant
adaptation of Shakespeare's (Richard II. He
wrote a number of minor plays, most of them
metrical.
Genast, Karl Albert Wilhelm (gä-näst). A
German poet and dramatist; born in Leipsic,
July 30, 1822; died at Weimar, Jan. 18, 1887.
He studied law and then entered politics, be-
coming one of the leaders of the popular party
at Weimar. Bernhard of Weimar,' a tragedy,
(Little Thorn-Rose, a volume of poems, and
(Florian Geyer,' a novel, are his most notable
works.
Genée, Rudolf (zhă-nā). A German literary
critic, dramatist, and poet; born in Berlin, Dec.
12, 1824. He abandoned wood engraving for
journalism, and then became an instructor in
literature at Berlin. As a reader and in-
terpreter of Shakespeare he attained distinc-
tion; but his plays - ( The Prodigy) (1854), A
(
## p. 213 (#229) ############################################
GENLIS- GERBERT DE MONTREUIL
213
New Timon,' (In Front of the Cannon,) (The
(female) Hermit,' and adaptations from Sher-
idan, - raised him to the front rank. His
works in criticism, treating of German poetry,
the drama, and kindred themes, are standard.
Marienburg is his successful historical novel.
Genlis, Stéphanie Félicité Ducrest de
Saint-Aubin, Comtesse de (zhon-les'). A
French miscellaneous writer; born at Champ-
céri near Autun, Jan. 25, 1746; died at Paris,
Dec. 31, 1830. Among her writings, which
amount to about 90 volumes, are several little
comedies intended to be acted by her pupils,
the children of the Duke of Chartres; some
stories, among them the romance (Mademoi-
selle de Clermont) (1802); (Unpublished Me.
moirs on the Eighteenth Century and the
French Revolution' (10 vols. , 1825); "Baron
d'Holbach's Dinners. )
Gensichen, Otto Fanz (gen'sich-en). A Ger-
man dramatist; born in Driesen, Feb. 4, 1847.
He has produced a wide variety of pieces, as
(Caius Gracchus) and Danton, tragedies ;
Euphrosyne,' (Phryne,' and (Aspasia,' spec-
tacular plays; and several one-act (curtain-
raisers. ” His most brilliant effects have been
obtained with historical love-stories. He has
produced a volume of miscellaneous poetry
and a historical novel of merit.
Gentil-Bernard, Pierre Joseph Bernard
called (zhon-tēl' or zhon-tē'bār-när'). A French
poet and dramatist; born in Grenoble, Aug.
26, 1708; died at Choisy-le-Roi (? ), Nov. 1, 1775.
He was educated by the Jesuits at Lyons, and
rose to the chief secretaryship on Marshal de
Coigny's staff. He became immensely fashion-
able in all the salons in 1737, when his Castor
and Pollux appeared, with music by Rameau.
Voltaire wrote him a letter of appreciation,
comparing him with Ovid, and bestowing the
title of “Gentil-Bernard » upon him. “The Art
of Love,' another of his works, is, like all his
productions, highly erotic and in utterly false
taste.
Gentz, Friedrich von (gents). A German
publicist and controversial writer; born in Bres-
lau, May 2, 1764; died near Vienna, June 9, 1832.
His early predilections were favorable to the
French Revolution; later he attacked it in
various writings, including translations from
Edmund Burke, Mallet du Pan, and Mounier.
His political career was very brilliant. He
labored assiduously to form the Holy Alliance.
He was a very able and persuasive writer of
political pamphlets and of books against Napo.
leon; the most widely read being (Origin and
Character of the War against the French Revo-
lution, and Fragments of a History of the
Balance of Power in Europe.
Geoffrey of Monmouth (jef'ri). A British
chronicler; born in Monmouth (? ), 1100 (? );
died at Llandaff, 1154. In his (Chronicle or
History of the Britons, we are afforded a
myriorama of Albion's Olympus, with Merlin
and King Arthur, Lancelot and Tristan, and
several ladies, indulging themselves in the char-
acteristically lax and delightful manner of fanci-
ful personages.
George, Amara, pseudonym of Mathilde
Kaufmann. A German poet and story-writer;
born (Binder) in Nuremberg, Dec. 5, 1835. Her
reputation was achieved with "Blooms of the
Night,' a collection of poems. She has written
pleasing tales, among them “Before Daybreak.
George, Henry. An American political econ-
omist; born in Philadelphia, Sept. 2, 1839;
died in New York, Oct. 29, 1897. His Progress
and Poverty) was published in 1879. Mr.
George removed to New York in 1880. The
following year (The Irish Land Question was
given to the world. In 1886 he was candidate
of the United Labor party for mayor of New
York. He subsequently founded the Standard,
a weekly newspaper. Social Problems) ap-
peared in 1884, and Protection or Free Trade)
in 1886. (The Perplexed Philosopher, etc. , fol-
lowed. A posthumous work on political econ-
omy is announced for publication in 1898. He
was candidate for mayor of Greater New York
at the time of his death.
Gerard, Dorothea (ji-rärd'). A Scotch nov-
elist; born in Rochsoles, Lanarkshire, Aug. 9,
1855. ller youth was passed on the Continent.
and she married an Austrian, Major Julius
Longard. She wrote in collaboration with her
sister, Reata) (1880) and (Beggar My Neigh-
bor); and subsequently, alone, Lady Baby)
and (Recha) (1890). The latter was esteemed
her best. Miss Providence appeared in 1897.
Gérard de Nerval (zhā-rär'dė ner-väl'),
pseudonym of Gérard Labrunie. A French
poet, dramatist, and novelist ; born in Paris,
May 21, 1808; committed suicide there, Jan.
25, 1855. His National Elegies,' written at
college and published at 19, reached two edi.
tions. He made a brilliant translation of
(Faust); and had a comedy, 'Tartuffe at Moli-
ère's, brought out at 22. (The Queen of
Sheba, a play written in collaboration with
the elder Dumas; (A Voyage to Greece,' a
book of travel; (Lorelei, a novel; (Misan-
thropy and Remorse,' an imaginative tale ;
(The Alchemist,' a play; and Dream and
Reality,' a romance, are among his most im-
portant later works. But the splendid career
and fortune within his reach were ruined by
his improvidence and recklessness, which grew
on him with age, till he was reduced to the
direst poverty, and ended by hanging himself.
He was one of the most imaginative and
graceful writers of his country. The use of
pseudonyms was habitual with him, "Aloysius,
« Fritz," and "Lord Pilgrim » among them.
Gerbert de Montreuil (zher-bār' de môn.
trėy'). A French poet of the thirteenth cen-
tury. His most noted work is a continuation
of a romance of the Grail, or tale of knight-
hood, written by Chrestien de Troyes and en-
. titled The Cavalier. ) Another production,
of about 1225, is the Romance of the Violet,'
## p. 214 (#230) ############################################
214
GERHARDT - GHERARDI DEL TESTA
known also as (Gérard de Nevers); it is the
model taken by Weber for his 'Euryanthe,' and
by Shakespeare for (Cymbeline.
Gerhardt, Paul (gār'hardt). A German
hymn-writer of great eminence; born in Gräfen-
hainichen, Saxony, March 12, 1607; died at
Lübben, June 7, 1676. He was a stubbornly
separatist Lutheran clergyman, involved in the
political turmoils of the time. The production
of his more than 100 famous hymns - including
particularly “O Head all blood and wounds,
Now all the woodlands rest,” “Oh, how shall
I receive Thee ? )– began about 1600. They
made an epoch in psalmody.
Gerle, Wolfgang Adolf (gār'le). A German
story-writer and dramatist; born in Prague, July
9, 1781; died there by his own hand, June 29,
1846. He was a prolific author of works of light
fiction, employing at times different pseudo-
nyms, such as “G. Erle,” « Konrad Spät,"
( Hilarius Kurzweil," and others. "Corals,
(Schelmufsky's Strange Adventure, and Moon-
light Pictures and Shadows,' are popular. His
plays, some written in collaboration with other
authors, have been staged with success.
Gerok, Karl (gā-rõk'). A German religious
poet; born in Vaihingen, Jan. 30, 1815; died at
Stuttgart, Jan. 14, 1890. Palm Leaves,' his
first ambitious effort, brought out in 1857, estab-
lished his reputation; and in the ensuing years
he put forth many collections of verse, mostly
of a deeply religious and devotional character.
They include : (In Lonely Ways, ( Flowers and
Stars, (Beneath the Evening Star,' and (The
Last Nosegay. His patriotic songs are widely
known.
Gerstäcker, Friedrich (ger'stek-er or gār'.
stek-er). A German writer of travel and fic-
tion; born in Hamburg, May 10, 1816; died in
Brunswick, May 31, 1872. He was the son of
an opera singer who left him orphaned at an
early age. After a seven-years' self-supporting
tour in the United States, begun at 20, he re-
turned to Germany and wrote: (Sight-Seeing
and Hunting Trips through the Cnited States,
(The Regulators of Arkansas, Mississippi
Scenes,' and other most interesting books
which gave him speedy fame. He afterwards
journeyed through Mexico and Venezuela, put-
ting his impressions into works that sold widely.
As a story-writer on his experiences of travel
_(California Sketches, (Under the Equator,'
"In Mexico, etc. - he has been fairly successful.
Gerstenberg, Heinrich Wilhelm von (gār'.
sten-bārg). A German dramatist, critic, and
poet; born in Tondern, Schleswig, Jan. 3, 1737;
died at Altona, Nov. 1, 1823. He studied law
at Jena, and then entered the Danish army.
He subsequently lived in Copenhagen. His
literary career began with (Trifles,' a collection
of verse. (War Songs of the Danish Grena-
diers,' (Song of a Scandinavian Bard,' (The
Bride,' and ,Ariadne in Naxos,' succeeded, -
important and in many respects splendid ef.
forts of poetic genius. His Letters on the
Striking Things in Literature, and his tragedy
of Ugolino' have proved very popular. As a
critic he pays special attention to Shakespeare
and to the old dramatists of England.
Gervinus, Georg Gottfried (ger-fe'nös). A
German historian and critic; born in Darm-
stadt, May 20, 1805; died at Heidelberg, March
18, 1871. His early work, History of the Anglo-
Saxons,' procured him a place at Heidelberg
in 1830, and after some preparatory travel he
settled down to scholarship. History of Ger-
man National Literature, and History of
German Imaginative Poetry and Prose) mark
this period. He next became professor of liter-
ature and history at Göttingen, bringing out his
(Essentials of Historic Science. His political
activity, however, caused him to lose his pro-
fessorship, and he began a rather wandering
career as writer, educator, and agitator until
1847, when he helped found and edited the
Deutsche Zeitung. "History of the Nineteenth
Century, (Händel and Shakespeare,' and many
important contributions to criticism and the
philosophy of history, made during this period,
shed lustre upon his name.
Geszner, Salomon (ges'ner). A Swiss poet
and painter; born in Zürich, April 1, 1730; died
there, March 2, 1788. Painting and etching were
his earliest pursuits, and he distinguished him-
self in both; but his friendship with Wieland
and Kleist turned him towards literature. His
first success as a poet was in the (Song of
the Swiss to his Armed Sweetheart, in 1751.
Daphnis) and a volume of Idylls) spread
his fame widely, and the Death of Abel had
great vogue in its day. He affected a mock-
heroic style that is now distasteful.
Gevaert, François Auguste (gė-văr'). A
French composer and writer on music; born
at Huysse, near Oudenarde, July 30, 1828. He
is the composer of several successful operas,
and was inspector of music at the Academy
of Music, Paris, from 1867 to 1870. Since that
time he has devoted himself to the history of
music. His publications include : History and
Theory of Music in Antiquity) (first part, 1875);
(Treatise on Instrumentation); “The Origin of
the Liturgic Chant in the Latin Church' (1890).
Geyter, Julius de (chā'tėr). A Flemish poet;
born in Lede, May 25, 1830. He was in early
life a school-teacher and later a law-court offi-
cial, but for many years he has been connected
with a bank in Antwerp. His best-known work
is the epic (Emperor Charles. His songs, which
deal with national heroic topics, and his can-
tatas, are exquisitely melodious and metrically
perfect, and are favorites with his people.
Gherardi del Testa, Tommaso (gā-rär'dē
del tes'tä). An Italian comedy-writer ; born in
Terriciuola, near Pisa, 1815; died near Pistoja,
Oct. 13, 1881. After studying at Pisa, he set-
tled as a lawyer in Florence; but in 1848 he
enlisted for the war with Austria and was taken
prisoner. He had already written (The Son of
an Ilegitimate,' a novel; but he now turned his
(
(
(
## p. 215 (#231) ############################################
GHISLANZONI - GIDDINGS
215
attention entirely to comedy, and rose rapidly
to prominence through the inimitable drollery
of his dialogue and the originality of his situa-
tions. "George's System,' ( Men Must Not be
Trifled With,' and (The Reign of Adelaide,
are conspicuous among his many productions.
Of a less mirthful but more satirical nature are
(The Fashion and the Family,' New Lite,'
(The False Letters, and other efforts of his
maturer years.
Ghislanzoni, Antonio (ges-län-zo'nē). An
Italian dramatist, journalist, and humorist;
born in Lecco, 1824; died there, July 18, 1893.
He first studied medicine, then became an
opera-singer, finally entering political journal-
ism. In the upheavals of 1848 he had various
adventures, including capture on the battle-
field. He lost his voice shortly after the return
of peace, and for a time supported himself by
writing for the comic papers, founding one or
two himself. He tried his hand at many kinds
of literary work, and was most successful as a
writer of librettos, Aida' being probably the
best. He has produced Book of Oddities,
(A Forbidden Book, Fashion in Art,' and
numerous similar volumes, all of a rather
ephemeral nature.
Giacometti, Paolo (jä-ko-met'e). An Ital-
ian dramatist; born in Novi Ligure, March
19, 1816; died at Rome, August 1882. He
achieved distinction in his twentieth year with
a drama, Rosilda,' written during his law-
student days in Genoa. Forced into literary
work by his family's poverty, his dramaturgic
talent attained him a competence. Sickness
and domestic adversity did not interfere with
his prolific genius, and his plays show aston-
ishing versatility. "Queen Elizabeth of Eng.
land, (Torquato Tasso,' and 'Lucrezia David-
son,' tragedies; (Sophocles,' his masterpiece,
also a tragedy; and numerous comedies, in-
cluding 'The Woman with a Second Husband,
are among the popular examples of his work.
Giacomino da Verona (jä-ko-me'nö dä vā.
rõ'nä). An Italian poet of the thirteenth
century. He owes his importance in literature
chiefly to his anticipation of Dante, and such
influence as his work may have had upon the
form and spirit of the Divine Comedy.
He
would appear to have been a Franciscan monk,
who composed two crude but striking poems
in the Veronese dialect on the subjects respect-
ively of heaven and hell, « The Celestial Jerusa-
lem' being one and (The Infernal City of
Babylon' the other.
Giacosa, Giuseppe (ja-ko'sa). An Italian
dramatist; born in Colleretto-Parella, Pied-
mont, Oct. 21, 1847. A lawyer for many years,
the success of one or two plays in metrical
form, the fruit of his leisure, led him to turn
playwright solely. His wit and taste have long
made him popular. «The Husband in Love
with his Wife) and (Brothers in Arms) are
his best productions, but of great merit are
(The Sons of the Marquis) and Arthur. He
is the author of both dramas and comedies,
and his treatment of contemporary Italian
social life is irresistibly satirical.
Giannone, Pietro (jän-no'nā). An Italian
poet; born in Campo Santo, near Modena,
1790; died at Florence, Dec. 24, 1873. When a
lad he entered the army of the first Napoleon,
on whose fall he went to Rome and lived by
his pen. His political affiliations caused his
imprisonment, and later he lived in exile at
Paris; but finally settled in Florence. The
Exile) and “The Vision) are his masterpieces;
but he wrote much and well, patriotism and
Italian political evils affording him his inspira-
tion.
Gibbon, Charles. A British novelist; born
1836; died Aug. 15, 1890. The Scotch masses
were studied by him with enthusiasm, afford-
ing subjects for 'Robin Gray) and the Jacobite
tale For the King'; but his "For Lack of
Gold) and A Heart's Problem, and one or
two more, indicate exhaustion, although «The
Braes of Yarrow) is a fine work.
Gibbon, Edward. A great English historian;
born at Putney Surrey, April 27, 1737; died
at London, Jan. 15, 1794. His writings are:
(Essay on the Study of Literature (1761), in
French; Critical Observations' (1770), on one
of the arguments of Warburton's "Divine Le-
gation of Moses); "History of the Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire) (6 vols. , 1776-88);
(Vindication of the 15th and 16th chapters of
the History) (1779); (Miscellaneous Works,
with Memoir Composed by Himself (1796).
It has lately been discovered that this Memoir
was not printed as written by Gibbon, but had
been changed in important particulars by who-
ever prepared it for the press. *
Gibbons, James (Cardinal). An American
prelate of great celebrity ; born in Baltimore,
July 23, 1834. He was raised to the cardinalate
June 30, 1886. His contributions to secular and
religious reviews are frequent and valuable.
Among his published works are: (The Faith
of Our Fathers); (Our Christian Heritage);
(The Ambassador of Christ); etc.
Gibson, William Hamilton. An American
artist and author; born in Sandy Hook, Conn. ,
Oct. 5, 1850; died 1896. A specialist in botan.
ical drawing, he contributed to the American
Agriculturist and Hearth and Home, and sup-
plied many natural-history subjects for the
(American Cyclopædia. Many of his illustra-
tions appeared in the Art Journal and in Pict-
uresque America; and his illustrations of books
were numerous and popular. He was a mem-
ber of the Art Union and the Authors' Club.
The essays (Birds of Plumage,' (A Winter
Idyl, and "Springtime,' appeared in Harper's
Magazine. His later works included (Our Edi.
ble Toadstools and Mushrooms.
Giddings, Joshua Reed. An eminent Ameri.
can lawyer, politician, and author; born at
Athens, Pa. , Oct. 6, 1795; died at Montreal, May
27, 1864. He was admitted to the Ohio bar
in 1820 ; elected a member of its Legislature
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216
GIESEBRECHT --- GILBERT
in 1826, and of Congress in 1838, where he was
prominent as an opponent of slavery. In
1861 he was appointed consul-general to British
North America. Among his works are : (The
Exiles of Florida' (1858); History of the
Rebellion' (1864).
Giesebrecht, Ludwig (ge'ze-brecht). A Ger-
man poet ; born in Mirow, Mecklenburg-Strelitz,
July 5, 1792; died at Jasenitz, near Stettin, March
18, 1873. He was a clergyman's son ; studied at
the University of Berlin, and later at Stettin ;
fought in the German war of liberation (1813);
and subsequently became a professor. (Epic
Poems, “Wendish Tales,' and poetry in dialect,
comprise his most popular productions.
Giffen, Robert, Sir. An English editor, statis-
tician, and writer on economic and financial
subjects; born at Strathaven, Lanarkshire,
Scotland, in 1837. At first in trade at Glasgow,
in 1862 he came to London, where he was sub-
editor of the Globe till 1800. He was acting
editor of the Economist under Walter Bagehot
1868-76; then founded the Statist, and became
chief of the Statistical Department in the Board
of Trade - since 1882 its assistant Secretary.
He was John Morley's assistant on the Fort-
nightly Review 1873-76; and is the author of a
number of reports, papers, and essays, which
have given him a high rank. (American Rail-
ways as Investments) appeared in 1873, and
was followed by (Stock Exchange Securities)
(1877); “Essays in Finance) (1879); (The Pro-
gress of the Working Classes in the Last Half
Century) (1884).
Gifford, William. An English satirical poet,
translator, and critic; born at Ashburton, Dev.
onshire, April 1756; died in London, Dec. 31,
1826. His (Baviad) (1791), based on Juvenal's
first satire, and his Mæviad) (1795), founded
upon Horace, both aimed at the Della Crusca
poetlings, gave him an authoritative position
in the literary world. He edited the Anti-
Jacobin for a time; but his supreme later posi-
tion was as editor of the Quarterly Review,
the great Tory organ, which made him a power
in politics as well as letters. He probably
wrote the famous review of Keats's (Endy-
mion,' inaccurately supposed to have killed that
poet.
Gil Polo, Gaspar (Hēl poʻlo). A Spanish
poet; born in Valencia about 1535; died at
Barcelona in 1591. He was a lawyer in his
native town, and successſul; but his principal
fame arises from his poems,- one of them,
Diana Enamored, being a gem of Spanish
literature. It is a continuation of Montemay.
or’s (Diana, but excels that production in
beauty of style and metre, and in the number
and variety of its episodes, lifting its author
high above the lyric level of his time.
Gil Vicente (Hēl vē-then'tā). A Portuguese
dramatist and actor, father of the drama of
his country; born in Lisbon (? ), about 1475;
died there (? ), about 1536 or 1538. He studied
law, and was a goldsmith in early manhood.
His first play was a pastoral in Spanish, writ-
ten in 1502 in honor of the birth of the Portu-
guese prince royal (ufterward John III. ). This
made an immense hit at court, and thereafter
he wrote every new play that was acted at
the royal festivals. Farces, comedies, dramas,
and tragedies, of keen wit, originality, and
great poetic talent, appear among his works,
which rank him beside the very great authors
not of Portugal only, but of the whole Ibe-
rian peninsula. He originated many of the
methods and canons of taste that are now the
accepted tenets of the European theatre. In
construction and dialogue, his Dom Duardos)
and “Amadis de Gaula are masterpieces. (Inez
Pereira) is the best of his farces.
Gil y Zárate, Don Antonio (Hēl ē thâ'rä-tā).
A Spanish dramatist ; born in the Escorial, Dec.
I, 1793; died at Madrid, Jan. 27, 1861. Mathe-
matics and physics were his university special-
ties; but he entered upon a political career
when a young man, attaining an important post
in the Ministry of the Interior in 1820. The
revolutions in Spain forced him out of public
life, and he became a professor at the Madrid
Lyceum. About this time he turned to play.
writing ; and a tragedy, Doña Blanca de Bor-
bon,' made his name widely known in 1832.
His next efforts were less conventionally clas-
sical and more on the romantic order. "Carlos
II. , the Bewitched, is one of his most cele-
brated tragedies, but (Guzman the Good' is by
far the best. "Rosmunda) and (Don Alvaro
de Luna' also stand at the head of the collec-
tion of plays that have won for him the pre-
miership of the modern Spanish drama.
Gilbert, John Thomas. An Irish historical
writer; born in Dublin, Ireland, 1829. He is
the editor of a series of important publications
entitled Historic Literature of Ireland. To
his enterprise and energy is largely due the
revival of interest in Celtic studies. His prin-
cipal published works include: "History of the
City of Dublin (1854-59); “History of Affairs
in Ireland, 1641-52) (1879-81); History of
the Irish Confederation and War in Ireland,
1641-49) (1882-90).
Gilbert, Josiah. An English artist and writer
on art; born at the Independent College,
Rotherham, Yorkshire, Oct. 7, 1814: He was
student at the Royal Academy, and practiced
as a portrait-painter for several years; but
since 1843 has been engaged in literary pur-
suits and art criticism. He is the author of:
(Art, its Scope and Purpose) (1858); "Cadore,
or Titian's Country) (1869); (Art and Religion)
(1871); was joint author of "The Dolomite
Mountains) (1864); and published Landscape
in Art before Claude and Salvator) (1885).
Gilbert, Nicolas Joseph Laurent (zhel-bãr).
A French poet; born in Fontenoy-le-Chateau,
Lorraine, in 1751; died insane at Paris, Nov. 16,
1780. He went to Paris in his teens to make
himself a poet. The “philosophers, who then
lorded it over all forms of literature at Paris,
conceived a violent hatred of his satirical
(
## p. 217 (#233) ############################################
GILBERT - GILM ZU ROSENEGG
217
:
productions, which handled their pet hob- | Defoe. He also wrote several plays. In 1699
bies without gloves. Farewells to Life, My he edited Lingbaine's Dramatic Poets.
Apology, and “The Author's Carnival, are
Giles, Chauncey. An American clergyman
among his best-known pieces.
and author ; born at Charlemont, Mass. , in 1813;
Gilbert, William. An English novelist and died in 1893. He entered the Swedenborgian
biographer; born 1804; died 1889. His earlier Church in 1853, and held pastorates in Cin-
literary activity resulted in various good realistic cinnati, New York, and Philadelphia. Among
fictions, conspicuously that revelation of Lon- his numerous works, many of which have been
don dark life, De Profundis) (1864), followed translated into French, German, and Italian,
by (The Goldsworthy Family) (1864), Clara are included : (The Magic Spectacles) (1868);
Levesque) (1872), and others; his most serious (The Gate of Pearl (1869); (The New Jeru-
achievement, however, being a gallant but not salem) (1874); (The Valley of Diamonds, and
apparently very successful effort at a rehabilita- Other Stories) (1881); Perfect Prayer) (1883).
tion of Lucrezia Borgia (1809).
Giles, Henry. An American Unitarian minis-
Gilbert, William Schwenck. An English ter; born in Crokford, County Wexford, Ire-
librettist and comic poet and prose-writer; land, Nov. 1, 1809; came to the United States
born in London, Nov. 18, 1836. He prepared in 1840; died near Boston, July 10, 1882. His
for the bar, and practiced successfully; but the published works are in part: Lectures and
fame of the (Bab Ballads, and of his librettos Essays) (2 vols. , 1845); (Christian Thought on
to the scores of Pinafore, Patience, (The Life' (1850); "Human Life in Shakespeare
Mikado,' and other comic operas, eclipsed (1868); and (Lectures and Essays on Irish and
his legal attainments,– which however are not Other Subjects) (1869).
inconsiderable, for he is now a magistrate with
Gilfillan, Robert. A Scotch poet; born in
a jurisdiction near London, and writes for law
Dumfermline, July 7, 1798; died at Leith, Dec.
journals more or less regularly. *
4, 1850. His verse is very popular wherever
Gilder, Richard Watson. An American hearts warm to the tartan”; and his (Ori-
poet; born in Bordentown, N. J. , Feb. 8, 1844. ginal Songs) (1831) ran through three editions,
Since 1881 he has been editor-in-chief of the the best pieces in the collection being (The
Century. His works include : (The New Day) Exile's Song, Peter McCraw,' and 'In the
(1875); (The Celestial Passion (1887); (Lyr- Days o' Langsyne.
ics); 'Two Worlds, and Other Poems) (1891);
Gille, Philippe (zhēl). A French drama-
(The Great Remembrance, and Other Poems)
tist and journalist; born in Paris, Dec. 18, 1834.
(1893); “Five Books of Song' (1894); etc. He was originally a sculptor, and his work
Gilder, William Henry. An American jour-
attracted attention; but he put it aside for
nalist, Arctic traveler, and author, brother of
dramatic composition and journalism, succeed-
Richard W. ; born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 16,
ing in both. He has been on the staff of the
1838. He served in the Civil War, and was
Petit Journal, Figaro, and Écho de Paris. As
a librettist he has written to the scores of
brevetted a major at its close. He accom-
panied Lieutenant Schwatka in 1878 on a
eminent composers. He has produced likewise
polar expedition, and in 1881 was a member
a variety of successful plays, of the kind adapted
of the Rodgers expedition as a correspondent of
to the somewhat peculiar exigencies of the
the New York Herald. His chief works are :
Parisian stage. "Gladiator's Thirty Millions,
"Schwatka's Search) (1881); Ice Pack and
Jean de Nevelle, and My Comrade,' show
Tundra' (1883).
him probably at his best; although several
other pieces, written in collaboration and inde-
Gildersleeve, Basil Lanneau. An Ameri. pendently, have had long runs.
can classical scholar; born in Charleston, S. C. ,
Gillette, William. An American actor and
Oct. 23, 1831. He graduated at Princeton in
playwright; born in Hartford, Conn. , July 24,
1843, and studied in Germany for several years.
1853. He is the author of several successful
He was professor of Greek and Latin at the
plays, in many of which he has assumed the
University of Virginia from 1856 to 1876, when
leading parts. Among his best-known produc-
he was appointed professor of Greek at Johns
tions are : (The Professor) (1881); 'Esmeralda
Flopkins University. He is the founder and
(1881), with Mrs. F. H. Burnett ; (The Private
editor of the American Journal of Philology.
Secretary) (adapted); Held by the Enemy)
Among his works are: “Satires of Persius
(1886); (A Legal Wreck) (1888); “Too Much
Flaccus) (1875); Justin Martyr) (1875); “Odes
Johnson' (1895); and (Secret Service) (1896).
of Pindar. He has published a Latin Gram-
mar and a volume of "Essays and Studies. )
Gilm zu Rosenegg, Hermann von (gilm
tsö rõz'en-eg"). A German lyric poet; born in
Gildon, Charles. A miscellaneous English Innsbruck, Nov. I, 1812; died at Linz, May 31,
writer; born in 1665 at Gillingham in Dorset- 1864. He studied jurisprudence at the univer-
shire; died in 1724. The following works are sity in Innsbruck, and then began a career in
ascribed to him: History of the Athenian the government service, rising to positions of
Society) (1691); (The Post-Boy Robbed of responsibility by years of valuable service. Of
his Mail); Miscellany, Poems upon Various liberal tendencies in religion and politics, and
Occasions) (1692); Life and Adventures of enthusiastic in the cause of the Tyrolese, he
## p. 218 (#234) ############################################
218
GILMAN - GIRALDI
wrote (Sonnets from Tyrol and Songs of the
Natter Maids, which achieved quick success.
Other poems by him did much to maintain
among the Tyrolese the spirit that prompted
their upr for indeper nce in 1809.
Gilman, Arthur. An American educator
and author; born at Alton, Ill. , June 22, 1837.
He was engaged in the banking business in
New York from 1857 to 1862, when he removed
to Lenox, Mass. , and devoted himself to liter-
ary and educational work until 1871.
In 1876
he assisted in the organization of the Harvard
Annex, now known as Radcliffe College. Among
his works are: (First Steps in English Litera-
ture) (1870); (First Steps in General History)
(1874); History of the American People) (1883);
(Early American Explorers) (1885); “Coloniza-
tion of America' (1887).
Gilman, Caroline Howard. An American
author; born in Boston, Mass. , Oct. 8, 1794;
died in 1888. Her collected writings include:
(Recollections of a New England Housekeeper)
(1835); (Recollections of a Southern Matron)
(1836); Poetry of Traveling in the United
States) (1838); etc. The (Recollections) have
passed through many editions.
Gilman, Daniel Coit. An American edu-
cator; born at Norwich, Conn. , July 6, 1831.
