Gilbert Walmisley facts for kids

Gilbert Walmisley (born 1680, died 1751) was an English lawyer, also known as a barrister. He is mostly remembered for being a close friend of the famous writer Samuel Johnson.

Who Was Gilbert Walmisley?

Gilbert Walmisley came from an old family in Lancashire, England. He was born in 1680. His father, William Walmisley, was an important official in the church, called a chancellor, in the city of Lichfield. William Walmisley was also a Member of Parliament (M.P.) for Lichfield in 1701.

Early Life and Career

Gilbert Walmisley started studying at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1698. However, he did not finish his degree there. In 1707, he became a barrister, which means he was qualified to argue cases in court. He worked at the Inner Temple, one of the main places where barristers train in London. Later, he became a registrar for the church court in Lichfield. This meant he kept official records for the court.

Walmisley likely had a relative named William Walmisley who was also important in the Lichfield church. This William was a prebendary (a type of church official) and later a dean (a senior church leader) in Lichfield.

Walmisley's Friendship with Samuel Johnson

Gilbert Walmisley was known as a very smart and polite man. He lived in the bishop's palace in Lichfield for 30 years. It was there that Samuel Johnson, who was much younger at the time, spent many hours with Walmisley and his friend David Garrick. Johnson later said these were "cheerful and instructive hours" with great company.

Walmisley was a Whig, which was a political party at the time. Even though he had strong political views, Johnson respected his knowledge greatly. Johnson said he couldn't think of anyone with "equal knowledge." The time Johnson spent with Walmisley helped him throughout his life.

In 1735, Walmisley tried to help Johnson get a job as a school master in Solihull, near Warwick. However, this attempt was not successful. Johnson later wrote a special tribute to Walmisley in his "Life" of Edmund Smith, praising his friend.

Later Life and Legacy

Gilbert Walmisley passed away in Lichfield on August 3, 1751. His wife died much later, in 1786, at the age of 77. Both of them are buried in a vault inside Lichfield Cathedral.

Tributes and Memorials

A poet named Thomas Seward wrote a poem in Walmisley's memory. This poem was printed in the Gentleman's Magazine. It is said that Samuel Johnson promised to write an epitaph (a short text for a tombstone) for Walmisley, but he took too long, and it was never written.

However, there is a prose inscription (a written tribute) to Walmisley inside Lichfield Cathedral. Also, Johnson's praise for Walmisley from his "Life" of Smith was carved onto a nearby monument.

Walmisley's Library and Letters

After Walmisley died, his large collection of books was sold in 1756. Some letters between David Garrick, Samuel Johnson, and Walmisley were later published. These letters give us a glimpse into their friendship and the times they lived in.