The Diverting History of John Gilpin
Encyclopedia
The Diverting History of John Gilpin is a comic ballad
by William Cowper
, written in 1782
. The ballad concerns a draper called John Gilpin
who rides a runaway
horse. Cowper heard the story from Lady Anna Austen at a time of severe depression, and it cheered him up so much that he put it into verse.
The poem was published anonymously in the Public Advertiser
in 1782, and then published with The Task
in 1785
. It was very popular, to the extent that "pirate
copies were being sold all across the country, together with Gilpin books and toys
."
The poem was republished in 1878, illustrated by Randolph Caldecott
and printed by Edmund Evans
.
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
by William Cowper
William Cowper
William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry...
, written in 1782
1782 in poetry
Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature .-United Kingdom:*William Cowper...
. The ballad concerns a draper called John Gilpin
John Gilpin
John Gilpin was a based on real-life character whose exploits became legendary and featured in a well-known comic ballad of 1782 by William Cowper entitled The Diverting History of John Gilpin...
who rides a runaway
Bolting (horse)
Bolting when referring to equidae, generally refers to two different equine behaviors, both undesirable: the practice of running away without control, and the practice of eating food at a dangerously fast rate. However, there are other meanings as well...
horse. Cowper heard the story from Lady Anna Austen at a time of severe depression, and it cheered him up so much that he put it into verse.
The poem was published anonymously in the Public Advertiser
Public Advertiser
The Public Advertiser was a London newspaper in the 18th century.The Public Advertiser was originally known as the London Daily Post and General Advertiser, then simply the General Advertiser consisting more or less exclusively of adverts. It was taken over by its printer, Henry Woodfall, and...
in 1782, and then published with The Task
The Task (poem)
The Task: A Poem, in Six Books is a poem in 6000 lines of blank verse by William Cowper, usually seen as his supreme achievement. Its six books are called "The Sofa", "The Timepiece", "The Garden", "The Winter Evening", "The Winter Morning Walk" and "The Winter Walk at Noon"...
in 1785
1785 in poetry
Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature .-Events:* Reverend Thomas Warton becomes Poet Laureate after the refusal of William Mason-United Kingdom:...
. It was very popular, to the extent that "pirate
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
copies were being sold all across the country, together with Gilpin books and toys
Merchandising
Merchandising is the methods, practices, and operations used to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity. In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer...
."
The poem was republished in 1878, illustrated by Randolph Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott was a British artist and illustrator, born in Chester. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honor. He exercised his art chiefly in book illustrations. His abilities as an artist were promptly and generously recognized by the Royal Academy. Caldecott greatly influenced...
and printed by Edmund Evans
Edmund Evans
Edmund Evans was a prominent English wood engraver and colour printer during the Victorian era. Evans specialized in full-colour printing, which became popular in the mid-19th century...
.