Chapter Goodall to Gower of G by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Goodall to Gower

Goodall, Walter (1706?-1766).—Historical writer, born in Banffshire, and educated King’s Coll., Aberdeen, became assistant librarian to the Advocates’ Library in Edinburgh In 1754 he published an Examination of the Letters said to have been written by Mary Queen of Scots, in which he combats the genuineness of the “Casket Letters.” He also ed., among other works, Fordun’s Scotichronicon (1759).

Goodwin, Thomas (1600-1680).—Divine, was born in Norfolk, and educated at Cambridge, where he was Vicar of Trinity Church. Becoming an Independent, he ministered to a church in London, and thereafter at Arnheim in Holland. Returning to England he was made Chaplain to Cromwell’s Council of State, and president of Magdalen Coll., Oxford At the Restoration he was deprived, but continued to preach in London. He was the author of various commentaries and controversial pamphlets, was a member of the Westminster Assembly, and assisted in drawing up the amended Confession, 1658. He attended Oliver Cromwell on his deathbed.

Googe, Barnabe (1540-1594).—Poet and translator, born at Lincoln, studied at both Cambridge and Oxford He was a kinsman of Cecil, who gave him employment in Ireland. He translated from the Latin of Manzolli The Zodiac of Life, a satire against the Papacy, and The Popish Kingdome by T. Kirchmayer, a similar work; also The Foure Bookes of Husbandrie of Conrad Heresbach. In 1563 he published a vol. of original poems, Eglogs, Epytaphes, and Sonnettes.

Gordon, Adam Lindsay (1833-1870).—Poet, was born in the Azores, the son of an officer in the army. He went to Australia, where he had a varied career in connection with horses and riding, for which he had a passion. He betook himself to the Bush, got into financial trouble, and died by his own hand. In the main he derives his inspiration (as in the Rhyme of Joyous Garde, and Britomarte) from mediæval and English sources, not from his Australian surroundings. Among his books are Sea-spray and Smoke- drift (1867), Bush Ballads (containing The Sick Stock-rider) (1870), Ashtaroth (1867). In many of his poems, e.g. An Exile’s Farewell, and Whispering in the Wattle Boughs, there is a strong vein of sadness and pathos.

Gore, Mrs. Catherine Grace Frances (Moody) (1799-1861).—Novelist, daughter of a wine merchant at Retford, where she was born She married a Captain Gore, with whom she resided mainly on the Continent, supporting her family by her voluminous writings. Between 1824 and 1862 she produced about 70 works, the most successful of which were novels of fashionable English life. Among these may be mentioned Manners of the Day (1830), Cecil, or the Adventures of a Coxcomb (1841), and The Banker’s Wife (1843). She also wrote for the stage, and composed music for songs.

Gosson, Stephen (1554-1624).—Poet, actor, and satirist, born in Kent, and educated at Oxford, he went to London, and wrote plays, which are now lost, and pastorals; but, moved by a sermon preached at Paul’s Cross in 1577 during a plague, he deserted the theatre, and became one of its severest critics in his prose satire, The School of Abrose (1579), directed against “poets, pipers, players, jesters, and such-like Caterpillars of a Commonwealth.” Dedicated to Sir P. Sidney, it was not well received by him, and is believed to have evoked his Apologie for Poetrie (1595). Gosson entered the Church, and died Rector of St. Botolph’s, London.

Gough, Richard (1735-1809).—Antiquary, was born in London, and studied at Cambridge For many years he made journeys over England in pursuit of his antiquarian studies. He published about 20 works, among which are British Topography (1768), Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain (1786-99), an edition of Camden’s Britannia, a translation of The Arabian Nights (1798), and various other treatises on archæology, topography, and numismatics.

Gower, John (1325?-1408).—Poet. Although few details of his life have come down to us, he appears to have been a man of wealth and importance, connected with Kent, well known at Court, and in possession of more than one estate. He was the friend of Chaucer, who gives him the title of “the moral Gower,” which has clung to him ever since. His first principal work was Speculum Meditantis (the Mirror of one meditating) written in French on the subject of married life. It was long believed to have been lost. It