Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was the most brilliant dramatist of Victorian England. He was also a prolific journalist and humorous poet and he achieved worldwide fame through his long collaboration with Arthur Sullivan on the Savoy Operas.

To many he seemed difficult and quarellsome but to others he showed both kindness and generosity.

He was responsible for the building of London's Garrick Theatre and was knighted in 1907.

His Life

• Biographies: [short version ] [long version ]
• Biographical sketch by Dr. Louis Engel, with photograph by Walery (1889)
• Article on Gilbert in Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, by David Stone..
• W. S. Gilbert entry in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
• A chapter on Gilbert as a producer from the book Gilbert and Sullivan Opera, A History and a Comment , by H. M. Walbrook, (1922)
• The Genealogy of Sir W. S. Gilbert, Dramatist and Poet by C. R. Everett, F.S.G.
• Gilbert's obituary from The Times
• The wills of Sir William and Dame Lucy Gilbert

His Legacy

• The Gilbert and Sullivan Operas
• His Plays
• The 'Bab Ballads'
• His Short Stories and Other Prose
• His Illistrations of various songs from the Savoy Operas

Interviews

From time to time Gilbert gave interviews to the press. These have been collected and transcribed by Arthur Robinson.

Letters to Various Publications — contributed to the G&S Archive by Arthur Robinson.

• Gilbert's letters to The Times
• Gilbert's letters to The Era
• Gilbert's letters to Pall Mall Gazette
• Gilbert's letters to other periodicals.

Collections of Works by Gilbert (from The Internet Archive)

• Original Plays, (First Series) published by Scribner, Armstrong & Co., New York [from the Internet Archive]
• Original Plays (First Series, 1894) published by Chatto & Windus [from the Internet Archive]
• Original Plays (Second Series, 1899) published by Chatto & Windus [from the Internet Archive]
• Original Plays (Third Series, 1895) published by Chatto & Windus [from the Internet Archive]
• Bab Ballads and Savoy Songs, published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia [from the Internet Archive]
• Bab Ballads and Savoy Songs, published by Henry Altemus, Philadelphia [from the Internet Archive]

Books about Gilbert and the Savoy Operas (from The Internet Archive)

• Fitzgerald, P. (1894): The Savoy Opera and the Savoyards
• Edith A. Browne (1907): W. S. Gilbert
• Dark, S. & Gray, R. (1923): W. S Gilbert: HIs Life and Letters
• Fitz-Gerald, S. J. A. (1925): The Story Of The Savoy Opera in Gilbert and Sullivan Days
• Goldberg, Isaac (1913): Sir Wm. S. Gilbert; a study in modern satire; a handbook on Gilbert and the Gilbert-Sullivan operas
• Cellier and Bridgeman: Gilbert and Sullivan and their operas; with recollections and anecdotes of D'Oyly Carte & other famous Savoyards

Links

• The W. S. Gilbert Society
• Grim's Dyke Hotel Web Site — Gilbert's former home is now beautifully restored as a hotel. It regularly hosts Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Dinners.
• The Correspondence, Diaries, Literary Manuscripts and Prompt Copies of W S Gilbert from the British Library, London — available as microfiche reels from Adam Matthew Publications Ltd.

   Page modified 19 November, 2011 Copyright © 2011 The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive All Rights Reserved.