New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-30
SIR VS.. GILBERT DIES IN
|. LAKE AS GUESTS LOOK ON
Llbrettist of "PinafCre" and
"Mikado" Meets Death in
Strange Manner.
DAUGHTERS EFFORT FUTILE
Famous Writer, Taking Plunge
in Water on His Grounds,
May Have Had Syn
cope Attack.
THOMAS F. RYAN
photo by Allen 4, Co. New York

London. Nav 29-Sir " 6 Gilbert
The noted dramatic author and librsttist.
who in cola boration with Sir Arthur
Sullivan wrote the famous Savoy operas,
including H. NJ s Pinafore." Pa
tience," "Iolanthe" and THE Mikado. "
and was knighted in 1907 by King Ed
ward. met a tragic end to-day.
He spent the morning in London and
returned to his residence at Harrow, in
the afternoon. As was his custom, he
Went down to the lake in mis- grounds TO
enjoy half-hour's swim. He dived in
and was a long time In coming to the
surface. Women friends who had ac-
companied him to the lake observed that
he was in difficulties and was struggling.
Gilbert's wife and adopted daughter,
Nancy Macintosh, saw him sink. One
ran for assistance while the other waded
into the lake and tried to rescue him,
but her efforts were in vain.
Servants came as quickly as possible
to the scene but when the body was re-
covered life was extinct
The precise cause If death is not
known. but II is believed to have been
due to syncope. The lake was only a
few feet deep and the bottom was free
from stones.
The name Of Sir William schwenck Gil
bert has in recent years been frequently
brought back to the memories of those
who love comic opera and clean cut COM
edv by the revival of some Of his plays
and Of the ever fresh and captivating
operettas for which he wrote the librettos
10 Sir Arthur Sulivans music. His most
popular work. ''Pinafore." was revived at
the Casino in this city last night
He was born in London seventy-hve
years ago and educated at Great Ealing
and at Kings College. He abandoned his
ambition for "A collegiate degree, however,
10 seek a commission in the Royal Artil-
Iery while the Crimean War was at its
height.
He began his work as a writer IN 1861,
when Fun" was started His contribu-
tions to this periodical soon established
his reputation. Chiefly contributory To his
popularity were the famous "Bsb Ballads" ="
which he produced at this time. Soon af-
VI
son. he took up writing for the stage. His
first success was burlesque on "L'Elisir
H. 'Amore." called "Dulcamara. or the Little
Duck and the Great Quack" produced for
Miss Herbert.
Then came la Vivandere." a burlesque
on LA Figla del Reggimento." produced
at what was then the Queens Theatre. in
Long Acre and played by J. l. Toole.
Lionel Brough. Miss Hodson. Miss NJ
simpson. Miss Everard Ohe original Lit
Tie Ruttercup of H NJ. s Pinafore')
and Miss Fanny Addison The VIVIAN
diere" ran for 100 nights. and was followed
at the Royalty Theatre by the Merry
Zingara." a burlesque on the Bohemian
Girl" in which Miss NJ. Oliver. Miss Char
lotte Saunders and f. Dewar appeared
This also ran 30 nights. but II suffered
from comparison with F. G. Burnand's g
"Black- Eyed Susan which II Immediately
followed. and which achieved one OF the
most remarkable successes recorded IN the
annals of burlesQue.
"Pygmalion and Galatea' and The Happy
Land" for the London Haymarket and
these and other dramatic successes led TO
his cooperation with Sir Arthur sullivan IN
those operettas which made the Gaiety
Theatre famous and himself and partner
rich. These began with Trial by Jury
ard were followed by The Sorcerer"
"Pinafore' The Pirates of Penzance."
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