Richard Gifford

Richard Gifford (* 1725 in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire, † 1807 in North Okedon, Essex ) was an English clergyman and poet and essayist whose elegiac Rhapsody Contemplation (1753 ) was very well received by the contemporary literary criticism. In addition, it was the only poem that he had published anonymously.

Life

Richard Gifford was born in 1725 in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire, the son of a Scottish father. Gifford studied at Balliol College at Oxford University, where he received his Bachelor in 1748. Other academic degrees he sought because of political differences with the College not to, because he belonged to the Whig party. In 1753 he published anonymously Contemplation, as it was a common literary practice at the time. The simple Rhapsody in 71 elegiac quatrains was the first imitation of Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Church - yard (1751 ) and had also some basic traits of John Milton's poetry. The first half was kept in the " L' Allegro " mode, the second more in the " Penseroso ". On both followed fairytale passages that reminded more of Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare. The final stamping to give the impression that Richard Gifford wrote the poem when he was living with his friend Hugo Meynell. Meynell recommended in later decades for the office of rector in North Okendon in Essex. It is the only poem by a writer who spent most of his life as an antiquarian studies electrifiable clerics in Derbyshire.

Samuel Johnson impressed Giffords verses, which used an illustration of Contemplation for his dictionary, and a quote from the sixth stanza while traveling to Scotland used with Boswell: " verses Softens Toil, HOWEVER rude the sound; | She feels no biting pang the while she sings; | Nor, as she turns the giddy wheel around, |. Revolves the sad Vicissitude of Things " Gifford felt flattered, but opted not to continue his literary work.

In the Year of the Monthly Review saw more clearly the parallels: "An ingenious poem, written in the manner of Mr. Gray's church- yard elegy; and Which wou'd have Appeared to Greater advantage, had it Preceded, instead of following, the publication of excellent original did. "

Over 50 years later, it praised itself nor the Monthly Magazine: "It was printed for Dodsley more than half a century ago, and the name of the author does not Appear in the title page. From the paucity of the Remaining copies, the intrinsic merit of the composition, and the notice Malthus incidentally Attracted [by Boswell ] It has now become a sort of literary curiosity. "

Reverend Richard Gifford joined even six years after the appearance of Contemplation a position as vicar of Duffield in Derbyshire, and in 1772 rector of North Okedon. Even if he should refrain from further period of his life to poetry, he has published more than 50 years of essays in The Gentleman 's Magazine and religious edification prose.

Works

• Remarks on Mr. Kennicott 's Dissertation upon the tree of life in paradise. Printed for M. Cooper; and sold by Mr. Fletcher, Oxford 1748.
• Miscellany [ Commonplace book]. around 1750.
• Contemplation. Printed for R. Dodsley; and sold by M. Cooper, 1753.
• Outlines of an answer to Dr. Priestley 's disquisitions Relating to matter and spirit. T. Cadel, London, 1781.
• Correspondence in John Nichols, Illustrations of the Literary History of the XVIII Century ( 1817-58 ).