William Gilpin

Zoë Kinsley (Liverpool Hope University College)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.05: English Writing and Culture from the Glorious Revolution to the French Revolution, 1689-1789.
Vol. editors: Paul Baines (University of Liverpool), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Pat Rogers (University of South Florida), Nicholas Seager (University of Keele)

Dates

Born 4 Jun 1724
Died 5 Apr 1804
Activity 1748-1804

Places

Born in England
Active in England

Activities

Primary

Art Theorist/ Historian/ Critic
Travel writer

Other

Biographer
Clergyman
Teacher/ Professor

Resources

William Gilpin is perhaps best known for his writings on art and aesthetics, and particularly as the founder of the aesthetic school of the picturesque. However, it was the roles of schoolmaster and clergyman that most fundamentally shaped his life, and he developed innovative and enlightened theories on education and the disciplining of the young. Gilpin's literary output extends far beyond his popular travelogues and aesthetic tracts; he was also a prolific biographer and author of theological works aimed at the general reader.

Born on 4 June 1724 at Scaleby Castle, near Carlisle, in Cumberland, William Gilpin was the eldest son of Captain John Bernard Gilpin (1701-1776) and Matilda Langstaffe (1703-1773). The Gilpin …

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2079 words

Citation: Kinsley, Zoë. "William Gilpin". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 February 2005 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1754, accessed 23 November 2024.]

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