Gilbert Abbott à Beckett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gilbert Abbott à Beckett
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| Born | 9 January 1811 London, England
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| Died | 30 August 1856 (aged 45) Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
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| Resting place | Highgate Cemetery |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Lawyer, humorist writer |
Gilbert Abbott à Beckett (born January 9, 1811 – died August 30, 1856) was a funny English writer. He was known for his humor and for writing many plays and books. He also worked as a lawyer and helped with public service.
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About Gilbert Abbott à Beckett
Gilbert was born in London, England. His father, William à Beckett, was a lawyer. Gilbert went to Westminster School, a famous school in London. In 1841, he became a lawyer himself. This means he was officially allowed to practice law.
His Writing Career
Gilbert was very busy as a writer. He was the editor of a funny newspaper called Figaro in London. He also helped start Punch, a very famous humor magazine. He wrote for Punch until he passed away.
He also wrote for big newspapers like The Times. He created many light and fun articles for the Illustrated London News. In 1846, he ran a publication called The Almanack of the Month.
Gilbert wrote about 50 to 60 plays. Many of these were based on short stories by Charles Dickens. He often worked with another writer named Mark Lemon.
Gilbert is perhaps most famous for his funny history books. These include The Comic History of England (1847–48) and The Comic History of Rome (1852). He also wrote a funny book about law called Comic Blackstone (1846). He even wrote the stories for two operas. His wife, Mary Anne à Beckett, composed the music for them. The operas were called Agnes Sorrel and Red Riding Hood.
Public Service
Besides writing, Gilbert also worked in public service. He was a "poor-law commissioner." This meant he helped look into how poor people were being cared for. He wrote an important report for the government about problems in some workhouses.
In 1849, he became a police magistrate in London. This job meant he was a judge who handled smaller legal cases in the city.
His Family
Gilbert passed away in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, from a sickness called typhoid fever. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery in London.
His older brother, Sir William à Beckett, became a chief justice. This is a very important judge in Victoria, Australia. Gilbert was also the father of two other writers. Their names were Gilbert Arthur à Beckett and Arthur William à Beckett.
What He Wrote
Here are some of the works Gilbert Abbott à Beckett wrote:
- The King Incog (1834)
- The Revolt of The Work-House (1834)
- The Man With the Carpet Bag (1835)
- Posthumous Papers of the Wonderful Discovery Club (1838) (written as POZ)
- The Chimes (1844) (with Mark Lemon)
- Scenes from the Rejected Comedies (1844)
- Hop O' My Thumb (1844) (written as POZ)
- Comic Blackstone (1844)
- Timour; or, The Cream of Tartar (1845)
- The Comic History of England (1847–48)
- The Comic History of Rome (1851)
- Sardanapalus; or, The 'Fast' King of Assyria (1853)
- The Fiddle Faddle Fashion Book (written as POZ)
See also
In Spanish: Gilbert Abbott à Beckett para niños
