Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gilbert, Claudius (1670-1743)

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1190624Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 21 — Gilbert, Claudius (1670-1743)1890John Thomas Gilbert

GILBERT, CLAUDIUS, the younger (1670–1743), ecclesiastic, only son and heir of Claudius Gilbert the elder [q. v.], minister at Limerick and Belfast, was born in the latter town in 1670. He received his early education in Belfast, entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 23 March 1685, became a fellow of that institution in 1693, and received the degrees of doctor of laws and doctor of divinity in 1706. Gilbert was for some time professor of divinity in his college, of which he was appointed vice-provost in 1716. He obtained the rectorship of Ardstraw in the county of Tyrone in 1735, and died in October 1743. He bequeathed considerable sums to various charities, and gave about thirteen thousand volumes of printed books to Trinity College. A catalogue of his books, compiled by himself, is in the possession of that institution, but it does not contain any matter of special literary interest. Gilbert's donation is commemorated by an inscription over his collection in the library of the college, and a bust of him in white marble, executed in 1758, is preserved there.

[Archives of Trinity College, Dublin; Boulter's Monument, London, 1745; Dublin Journal, 1758.]

J. T. G.