Gay, John

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

John (1685-1732), an English poet. He was born at Barnstaple, Devonshire. His father died when young (Gay was a child of six), leaving his widow with four children. After attending the grammar school of Barnstaple John was apprenticed to a silk mercer. Disliking this employment he gave it up, and devoted his time to literature and to efforts at securing the patronage of the influential. He soon became well known as a writer of farce and tragedy. He was of a temperament to win friends, and his writing was of a character to win popularity. He was a contemporary of Pope and Dryden. He secured the patronage of the Duchess of Monmouth, and in 1712 was received into her household in the capacity of secretary. Here, Thackeray tells us, he was "lapped in cotton, and had his plate of chicken, and his saucer of cream, and frisked, and barked, and wheezed, and grew fat, and so ended." His chief work for the stage is The Beggar's Opera, which ran for sixty-three nights. A sequel, Polly, was refused a license by the lord-chamberlain. This refusal caused so much excitement and discussion among Gay's friends and acquaintances that it is said that "the inoffensive John Gay became one of the obstructions to the peace of Europe." Unlike many writers whose fame has been more enduring, Gay was financially successful. At his death he left pound 6,000 to his two widowed sisters. He was buried in Westminster Abbey . Among Gay's other writings may be mentioned The Shepherd's Week and Trivia. His Fables are humorous poems and are still read and enjoyed. He is best known by the ballad of Black Eyed Susan, a favorite among sailors. His writings are more or less flippant. A few of his coins are in general circulation: Midnight oil. Two of a trade can never agree. I thought so once, but now I know it. Over the hills and far away. While there is life there's hope. How happy could I be with either, Were t' other dear charmer away! SAID OF GAY. John Gay was one of those easy, amiable, good-natured men whose talents excite admiration without jealousy, while their characters are the object of fondness rather than respect.--Thomas B. Shaw. Of manners gentle, of affections mild, In wit a man, simplicity a child.--Pope. It may be safely said that no man could have acquired such a body of great and accomplished friends as those which rallied round Gay and mourned his loss, without the possession of many valuable and endearing qualities. His poetry is neither high nor pure; but he had humor, a fine vein of fancy, and powers of observation, and local painting which bespeak the close poetical student and the happy literary artist.--Robert Carruthers.