Sir John Gilbert, an English painter, born in 1817. He exhibited in 1836 a water-color drawing,The Arrest of Lord Hastings," in the Suffolk street gallery, and an oil painting in the royal academy. In 1839 he first exhibited in the British institution, where he has been represented almost every year since. He has made many illustrations for books and pictorial newspapers, especially for the British classics, concluding with an edition of Shakespeare, and for the Illustrated London News." In 1852 he was elected an associate, in 1853 a member, and in 1871 (when he was knighted) president of the society of painters in water colors. He is an associate of the royal academy, and honorary president of the Liverpool society of water-color painters. His best known oil paintings are Don Quixote giving advice to Sancho Panza," and other subjects from Cervantes;The Education of Gil Blas;"A Scene from Tristram Shandy;"Othello before the Senate;"The Murder of Thomas a Becket;"The Plays of Shakespeare," a tableau introducing the principal characters in each play; Charge of Cavaliers at Naseby;"

"A Drawing-room at St. James's;"A Regiment of Royalist Cavalry;" Rubens and Teniers;"The Studio of Rembrandt;" "Wol-sey and Buckingham;"A Convocation of Clergy;" and The Entry of Joan of Arc into Orleans."