Arthur Sullivan
William Schwenck Gilbert was born in the Strand, London, on November 18, 1836. After earning a B.A. from the University of London he pursued a law career, was called to the Bar in 1863, and also joine... Read more
William Schwenck Gilbert was born in the Strand, London, on November 18, 1836. After earning a B.A. from the University of London he pursued a law career, was called to the Bar in 1863, and also joined the militia as a reserve officer, but by then had already embarked on his true calling: as a humorist, caricaturist and writer. His series of satirical poems and sketches, the self-dubbed "Bab Ballads," first appeared in Fun Magazine, and his burlesques of popular European operas, along with his original comedies, soon began playing on the London stage. By 1870 W.S. Gilbert was established as the pre-eminent dramatist of his day; no less than seven London theatres built during that time opened with his plays.