Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 10.djvu/604

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 GIBSON, (1669-17-18), bishop of London, the learned Compiler of the ( 'odca' J uris Ecclesiuslici Anglo-uni, was born at Bampton in Westmoreland in 1669. After a promising career at one of the local schools, he was in 1666 entered a scholar at Queen’s College, Oxford, where, at the early age of twenty—two (1692), he distinguished himself by the publication of a valuable edition of the Saxon C/umu'v'l", with a Latin translation, indiccs, and notes. This was fl :1- lowed in 1693 by an annotated edition of the De I nst itutione Oratorio. of Quintilian. and in 1691 by a translation in two volumes folio of Camden’s Britannia, “ with additions and improvements,” in the preparation of which he had been largely assisted by the volunteered aid of various linglish antiquaries. Shortly after Tenison's elevation to the sec of Canterbury in 169-1 Gibson was appointed chaplain and librarian to the archbishop, and at a somewhat later period he became rector of Larnbeth and arehdcaeon of Surrey. In the discussions which arose during the reigns of William and Anne relative to the rights and privileges of the Convocation, Gibson took a very active part, and in a series of pamphlets warmly argued for the right of the archbishop to continue or prorogue that assembly. The eontrcwcrsy suggested to him the idea of those researches which resulted in the Codex J uris Iz'cclesiqlstici .1nglimni, published in two Vols, folio in 1713,—a work which discusses more learnedly and comprehensively than any other the legal rights and duties of the English clergy, and the Constitution, canons, and articles of the English Church. In 1715 Gibson was presented to the see of Lincoln, whence he was in 17:23 translated to that of London, where for twenty—five years he exercised an immense influence, being the authority chiefly consulted by the court on all ecclesiastical affairs. \\'hile a conservative in church politics, he yet respected the vari- ous forms of dissent, and discouraged all attempts to prevent dissenters from Worshipping in the manner and accnrding In the principles which they preferred. Ile exercised a vigilant oversight over the morals of all ranks and classes of the community committed to his charge ; and his fearless denunciation of the licentious masquerades which had become highly popular at court ﬁnally lost him the royal favour. Among the literary efforts of his later years the principal were a series of Pastoral Letters in defence of the “ gospel revelation,” against “ lukewarmncss” and “ en- thusiasm,” and on various topics of the day; also the I’reservative against I’Opery, in 3 vols. folio (1733), :1 compilation of numerous controversial writings of eminent Church of England divines, dating chiefly from the period of James II. Gibson died on the 6th September 1743.

1em  GIBSON, (1790–1866), sculptor, was born near Conway, in 1790, in very humble circumstances, his father being a market gardener. He is a notable'cxamplc of one who, with no so-callcd start in life, carved his way to (lis- tinetion by the force of a steady purpose and strong will, To his mother, whom he described as ruling his father and all the family, he owed, like many other great men, the energy and determination-which carried him over every obstacle. lle narrowly escaped emigration to America, the ﬁrst step towards which took the family to Liverpool, where his mother’s will interpost to keep them. Ile was then nine years of age, and was sent to school. The windows of the print shops of Liverpool riveted his atten- tion; and, having no means to purchase the commonest print, he acquired the habit of committing to ocular memory the outline of one figure after another, drawing it on his