Gilbert West facts for kids
Gilbert West (1703–1756) was an English poet and translator from the 1700s. A famous writer named Samuel Johnson even wrote about him in his book, Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets.
About Gilbert West
Gilbert West was the son of Richard West. He went to famous schools like Winchester and Eton. Later, he studied at Christ Church, Oxford University. His father hoped he would become a priest.
However, his uncle, Lord Cobham, convinced him to join the army for a short time. West soon left the army. He then worked for a powerful politician named Lord Townshend. Lord Townshend was part of the Whig political group. West left this job because he didn't see a way to move up in that career.
West married Catherine Bartlett. They lived in West Wickham, a town in Kent. He became the Treasurer of Chelsea Hospital. This job gave him a steady income.
In 1747, West wrote an essay called Observations on the history and evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He wrote this after talking with his cousin, George Lyttelton. Oxford University gave him a special degree (an LLD) for this important work.
In 1749, West published his translations of poems by Pindar. Pindar was a famous ancient Greek poet. West's translations were considered the best for many years. Later in his life, in 1752, West got a better job. He became a clerk for the Privy Council, which is a group of advisors to the King or Queen. This job brought him more money. He passed away four years later in 1756.
Gilbert West's Writings
Here are some of the works Gilbert West wrote or translated:
- Stowe, the gardens of the Right Honourable Richard, Lord Viscount Cobham (1732)
- A canto of the Fairy Queen. Written by Spenser (1739)
- The institution of the order of the garter. A dramatick poem (1742)
- Observations on the history and evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1747)
- The odes of Pindar, with several other pieces translated (1749)
- Education: a poem in two cantos (1751)
- "The oration of Plato" (a translation of a speech by Plato) in Two orations in Praise of Athenians Slain in Battle (1759).
