Sir William Schwenck Gilbert

Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911), Poet, dramatist and librettist of the 'Savoy' operas.

The rather gloomy appearance of this gentleman, with his military moustache, high-necked collar and hunting crop belies the fact that he was one half of the immortal partnership of Gilbert and Sullivan, responsible for some of Britain's greatest comic operas. Gilbert qualified for the bar but abandoned it to write libretti for Sir Arthur Sullivan 's music. Their work included HMS Pinafore (1878), Iolanthe (1882), The Mikado (1885), and The Yeomen of the Guard (1888). In this portrait Gilbert, who was obliged to ride for two hours everyday in order to alleviate his gout, wears hunting dress.