John Gilpin facts for kids
_(c112-01-50).jpg)
John Gilpin is a famous character from a funny poem written in 1782 by William Cowper. The poem is called The Diverting History of John Gilpin. Cowper heard the story from his friend, Lady Austen.
Who Was John Gilpin?
Gilpin was said to be a rich draper from Cheapside in London. A draper was someone who sold cloth and fabrics. He also owned land near where Cowper lived in Olney, Buckinghamshire. It is thought that the real John Gilpin might have been a man named Mr. Beyer. He was a linen draper from Cheapside.
The Story of His Wild Ride
The poem tells a very funny story about John Gilpin. He was traveling with his wife and children to the Bell Inn in Edmonton. But Gilpin lost control of his horse! The horse suddenly ran off very fast, which is called "bolting." It carried him ten miles further than he wanted to go, all the way to the town of Ware. His family was left behind, and he had a very unexpected adventure!
Remembering John Gilpin
Many places still remember John Gilpin's wild ride.
- Gilpin's Gallop: This is a street in the village of Stanstead St Margarets. People say it was on the path where Gilpin's horse ran.
- Sculpture in Edmonton: A sculpture by Angela Godfrey sits in Fore Street, Edmonton, London. It was made to celebrate Cowper's poem about Gilpin.
- Other Tributes:
- A poem called John Gilpin's Ghost was written in 1795 by John Thelwall.
- A fast sailing ship, the John Gilpin clipper, was built in 1852 and named after him.
- There was even a public house (a type of pub) in Cambridge named John Gilpin.
