Goldsmith
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
OLIVER, a English author; born in Pallas, Longford co., Ireland, Nov. 10, 1728. In 1745 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, OLIVER GOLDSMITH where he gave no indications of genius or scholastic talents, and becoming involved in some youthful irregularities, quitted the university, and led for some time a sort of vagrant life. Returning to college, he was graduated B. A. in 1749, after which he proceeded to Edinburgh and Leyden universities to study medicine. He set out on foot for a tour of the European continent, supplied with no other means than those afforded by his good spirits, and a favorite flute. After taking his degree in medicine at Padua, he returned to England in 1756, where he commenced practice as a physician, in which he was unsuccessful. He then entered the field of letters; and after passing a period of obscurity and privation as a "bookseller's hack," his first work to attract attention was an "Inquiry Into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe" (1759). To this succeeded "The Citizen of the World," a "Life of Beau Nash," and a "History of England." Becoming acquainted with Dr. Johnson, in 1761, the latter introduced Goldsmith to the Literary Club. In 1764 appeared "The Traveler," which at once placed placed Goldsmith in the front rank of English authors. Two years afterward appeared the "Vicar of Wakefield." Following in rapid succession came "The Good-natured Man" (1767), "History of Rome" (1768), and his exquisite poem, "The Deserted Vil lage" (1769). In 1773, his immortal comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer" took the public by storm. His other works are "Grecian History" (1774), "Retaliation," a serio-comic poem (1774), and "History of Animated Nature," which he did not live to finish. He died in London April 4, 1774.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
The facts of Goldsmith's life were already well settled when Collier's wrote this in 1921, and the account still stands in outline. Two details have been softened by later scholarship: his birth date and birthplace are now treated as uncertain (1728 or 1730, at Pallas in Longford or Elphin in Roscommon), and biographers doubt he ever actually took the medical degree at Padua that Collier's reports as fact — his continental tour of 1755-56 left no record of a diploma anywhere. A few publication dates are also usually given a year later than here: "The Good-Natur'd Man" premiered in January 1768 and "The Deserted Village" appeared in May 1770. What has shifted most is the balance of his reputation: "She Stoops to Conquer" remains a repertory staple, while "The Traveller", which Collier's says "at once placed Goldsmith in the front rank", is now read almost only by students.
Written for this edition, 2026.