William Schwenk Gilbert (1836 - 1911) is an object lesson to us, a fine constructor of satirical verse,who died from a heart attack trying to save a young woman from drowning.

Having financially failed at the Bar, he began humorous writing and drawing for PUNCH and particularly FUN. His Bab (Baby) Ballads began in FUN during 1861, gathered together first in 1869 and have been clustered together profitably ever since. His lyrics for Arthur Sullivan's music are sublime. My favourite is the Nightmare song from Iolanthe.

 

LIFE AND LETTERS with Unpublished Bab Ballads