24 Quotes & Sayings By W S Gilbert

William Schwenck Gilbert was born in London, England, on October 6, 1836. His father was a well-known actor of the day, and his uncle was the famous playwright William S. Gilbert. The younger Gilbert's early education was sporadic—he did not finish high school—and he did not pursue an acting career Read more

As a young man, he had various jobs, including stints as an actor and later as a writer for musical theatre. He began writing plays in 1866 with "Thespis." He followed with "HMS Pinafore," "The Pirates of Penzance," and "The Gondoliers." It was his next musical, "The Pirates of Penzance," that made him famous when it opened in December 1879. Although it had originally been written with music by Arthur Sullivan, the composer's death postponed its production for over two years while Sullivan's successor, C. H.

R. Pearsall, worked on it. When it finally debuted in January 1880 at the Opera Comique theatre in London, "Pirates" became an instant sensation; the audience went wild over the numbers "I'm Gonna Wash My Hands in Desperation," "I've Been Working on the Railroad," and the finale "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General." After its initial run of twelve weeks (it ran for six months), it was quickly adapted into American musical comedy—the last big hit to be based on Gilbert's work—with lyrics by Lew Hackett and music by Harry Von Tilzer (who would later compose some of the most popular songs of the 20th century). After that success (and another hit in America called 'Trial by Jury'), Gilbert went back to writing plays, though he continued to write a few musicals each year for other producers. Gilbert died at age 50 on April 12, 1900.

After his death, his wife converted their family home into a boarding house for actors and writers, which served as a refuge for numerous artists throughout the 20th century. In 1968 Gilbert's daughter donated fourteen boxes of his manuscripts to The University of Virginia Library. In 2005 those papers were donated to The W.

S. Gilbert Collection at The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C., where they are available to scholars worldwide through research databases such as ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and EBSCOhost ThesesDirect Database Edition (TDE

1
Did nothing in particular And did it very well. W. S. Gilbert
2
Things are seldom what they seem Skim milk masquerades as cream. W. S. Gilbert
3
Of that there is no manner of doubt - No probable possible shadow of doubt - No possible doubt whatever. W. S. Gilbert
4
He did nothing in particular And did it very well. W. S. Gilbert
5
For he might have been a Rooshian A French or Turk or Proosian Or perhaps Italian. But in spite of all temptations To belong to other nations He remains an Englishman. W. S. Gilbert
6
See how the Fates their gifts allot. For A is happy - B is not. Yet B is worthy I dare say Of more prosperity than A. W. S. Gilbert
7
Darwinian Man though well-behaved At best is only a monkey shaved! W. S. Gilbert
8
Did nothing in particular and did it very well. W. S. Gilbert
9
As innocent as a new-laid egg. W. S. Gilbert
10
And whether you're an honest man or whether you're a thief depends on whose solicitor has given me my brief. W. S. Gilbert
11
A source of innocent merriment! Of innocent merriment. W. S. Gilbert
12
Oh I am a cook and a captain bold And the mate of the Nancy brig And a bo'sun tight and a midshipmate And the crew of the captain's gig. W. S. Gilbert
13
Now landsmen all whoever you may be If you want to rise to the top of the tree. If your soul isn't fettered to an office stool Be careful to be guided by this golden rule - Stick close to your desks and never go to to sea And you may all be Rulers of the Queen's Navee. W. S. Gilbert
14
You've no idea what a poor opinion I have of myself - and how little I deserve it. W. S. Gilbert
15
I am not fond of uttering platitudes In stained-glass attitudes. W. S. Gilbert
16
When every blessed thing you have is made of silver or of gold you long for simple pewter. W. S. Gilbert
17
I always voted at my party's call And I never thought of thinking for myself at all. W. S. Gilbert
18
You must stir it and stump it and blow your own trumpet or trust me you haven't a chance. W. S. Gilbert
19
My object all sublime I shall achieve in time - To let the punishment fit the crime. W. S. Gilbert
20
And so do his sisters and his cousins and his aunts! His sisters and his cousins Whom he reckons up by dozens And his aunts! W. S. Gilbert
21
If you wish in this world to advance Your merits you're bound to enhance You must stir it and stump it And blow your own trumpet Or trust me you haven't a chance. W. S. Gilbert
22
No one can have a higher opinion of him than I have - and I think he's a dirty little beast. W. S. Gilbert
23
Perhaps if you address the lady Most politely most politely Flatter and impress the lady Most politely most politely Humbly beg and humbly sue She may deign to look on you. W. S. Gilbert