George Keate
Encyclopedia
George Keate was an English poet and writer.
, Middlesex
, who married Rachel Kawolski, daughter of Count Christian Kawolski. He was born at Trowbridge
in Wiltshire
, where his father had property, on 30 November 1729 (according to Daniel Lysons
, his baptism was not entered in the Isleworth register until 29 November 1730). Together with Gilbert Wakefield
, William Hayley
, Francis Maseres
, and others, he was educated by the Rev. Richard Wooddeson of Kingston upon Thames
.
On leaving school he was articled as clerk
to Robert Palmer, steward to the Duke of Bedford
. He entered the Inner Temple
in 1751, was called to the bar
in 1753, and made bencher
of his inn
in 1791, but never practised the law. For some years he lived abroad, mainly at Geneva, where he knew Voltaire
, and in 1755 he was at Rome. After settling in England Keate began to write. He was in turn poet, naturalist, antiquary, and artist. A founder member of the Society of Artists
in 1761, he was one of those who left it for the Royal Academy
in 1768. He was elected Fellow
of the Society of Antiquaries of London
and Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
Fanny Burney
describes Keate in her Early Diary, especially his habit of talking about his own works. Other stories of Keate are in Richard Brinsley Peake
's Memoirs of the Colman Family, and Mary Delany
in her Autobiography describes visiting his museum in 1779.
During the last few years of life his health visibly declined, and he died suddenly at 10 Charlotte Street
, Bloomsbury, on 28 June 1797. He was buried at Isleworth on 6 July, and a white marble monument, with bust by Joseph Nollekens
, was placed near the spot where he and his wife, who died 18 March 1800, aged 70, were buried. His specimens of shells were sold by auction after his death. Francis Douce
's gift of coins to the Bodleian Library
included the collection of Keate.
Some of Keate's poems are in George Pearch's Collection, iii. 269–74; and he wrote prologues and epilogues for the dramatic representations at Newcome's Hackney school, besides adapting Voltaire's Sémiramis for the stage. Keate also contributed "Observations on some Roman Earthenware" to Archæologia. vi. 125–9.
Between 1766 and 1789 Keate exhibited six pictures at the Society of Artists
and thirty at the Royal Academy
. His correspondence with Voltaire and Edward Young went to the British Museum
(Addit. MSS. 30991–2).
, and only sister of Sir Charles Grave Hudson, bart., of Wanlip
, Leicestershire
. Their issue was one daughter, Georgiana Jane Keate afterwards Mrs. Henderson (1770–1850), who exhibited four pictures at the Society of Artists in 1791, and painted from memory a portrait of Prince Lee Boo, fifteen months after his death, for her father's account of the Pelew islands. She married, on 9 June 1796, John Henderson, B.C.L. (1764–1843), of Adelphi Terrace, London, one of the early patrons of Thomas Girtin
and J. M. W. Turner
, and himself an amateur artist. Their children were Charles Cooper Henderson, John Henderson
, and three daughters, who died unmarried. There are portraits of the mother by Angelica Kauffman and John Russell
, R.A. She died 8 January 1850, and was buried in her husband's grave at Kensal Green Cemetery
.
Attribution
Life
He was son of George Keate of IsleworthIsleworth
Isleworth is a small town of Saxon origin sited within the London Borough of Hounslow in west London, England. It lies immediately east of the town of Hounslow and west of the River Thames and its tributary the River Crane. Isleworth's original area of settlement, alongside the Thames, is known as...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
, who married Rachel Kawolski, daughter of Count Christian Kawolski. He was born at Trowbridge
Trowbridge
Trowbridge is the county town of Wiltshire, England, situated on the River Biss in the west of the county, approximately 12 miles southeast of Bath, Somerset....
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, where his father had property, on 30 November 1729 (according to Daniel Lysons
Daniel Lysons
Daniel Lysons was a notable English antiquary and topographer of the late 18th and early 19th century, who published the four-volume The Environs of London ....
, his baptism was not entered in the Isleworth register until 29 November 1730). Together with Gilbert Wakefield
Gilbert Wakefield
Gilbert Wakefield was an English scholar and controversialist.Gilbert Wakefield was the third son of the Rev. George Wakefield, then rector of St Nicholas' Church, Nottingham but afterwards at Kingston-upon-Thames. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. as second...
, William Hayley
William Hayley
William Hayley was an English writer, best known as the friend and biographer of William Cowper.-Biography:...
, Francis Maseres
Francis Maseres
Francis Maseres was an English lawyer. He is known as attorney general of the Province of Quebec, judge, mathematician, historian, member of the Royal Society, and cursitor baron of the exchequer.- Biography :...
, and others, he was educated by the Rev. Richard Wooddeson of Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
.
On leaving school he was articled as clerk
Articled clerk
An articled clerk, also known as an articling student, is an apprentice in a professional firm in Commonwealth countries. Generally the term arises in the accountancy profession and in the legal profession. The articled clerk signs a contract, known as "articles of clerkship", committing to a...
to Robert Palmer, steward to the Duke of Bedford
Duke of Bedford
thumb|right|240px|William Russell, 1st Duke of BedfordDuke of Bedford is a title that has been created five times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1414 in favour of Henry IV's third son, John, who later served as regent of France. He was made Earl of Kendal at the same time...
. He entered the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1751, was called to the bar
Call to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
in 1753, and made bencher
Bencher
A bencher or Master of the Bench is a senior member of an Inn of Court in England and Wales. Benchers hold office for life once elected. A bencher can be elected while still a barrister , in recognition of the contribution that the barrister has made to the life of the Inn or to the law...
of his inn
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
in 1791, but never practised the law. For some years he lived abroad, mainly at Geneva, where he knew Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
, and in 1755 he was at Rome. After settling in England Keate began to write. He was in turn poet, naturalist, antiquary, and artist. A founder member of the Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
in 1761, he was one of those who left it for the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in 1768. He was elected Fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
of the Society of Antiquaries of London
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a learned society "charged by its Royal Charter of 1751 with 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'." It is based at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London , and is...
and Fellow of the Royal Society in 1766.
Fanny Burney
Fanny Burney
Frances Burney , also known as Fanny Burney and, after her marriage, as Madame d’Arblay, was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. She was born in Lynn Regis, now King’s Lynn, England, on 13 June 1752, to musical historian Dr Charles Burney and Mrs Esther Sleepe Burney...
describes Keate in her Early Diary, especially his habit of talking about his own works. Other stories of Keate are in Richard Brinsley Peake
Richard Brinsley Peake
Richard Brinsley Peake was a dramatist of the early nineteenth century best remembered today for his 1823 play Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein, a work based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley....
's Memoirs of the Colman Family, and Mary Delany
Mary Delany
Mary Delany was an English Bluestocking, artist, and letter-writer; equally famous for her "paper-mosaicks" and her lively correspondence.-Early life:...
in her Autobiography describes visiting his museum in 1779.
During the last few years of life his health visibly declined, and he died suddenly at 10 Charlotte Street
Charlotte Street
Charlotte Street is a well-known street in Fitzrovia, central London, England. The southern half of the street has many restaurants and cafes, and a lively nightlife during the evening; while the northern part of the street is more mixed in character and includes the large office building of the...
, Bloomsbury, on 28 June 1797. He was buried at Isleworth on 6 July, and a white marble monument, with bust by Joseph Nollekens
Joseph Nollekens
Joseph Nollekens was a sculptor from London generally considered to be the finest British sculptor of the late 18th century. He was also a founder member of the Royal Academy in 1768.-Life:...
, was placed near the spot where he and his wife, who died 18 March 1800, aged 70, were buried. His specimens of shells were sold by auction after his death. Francis Douce
Francis Douce
Francis Douce was an English antiquary.-Biography:Douce was born in London. His father was a clerk in Chancery. After completing his education he entered his father's office, but soon quit it to devote himself to the study of antiquities...
's gift of coins to the Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
included the collection of Keate.
Works
Keate wrote as an amateur. His works were:- "Ancient and Modern Rome" [anon.], 1760; a poem in blank verse, written in 1755.
- "Short Account of the Ancient History, present Government and Laws of the Republic of Geneva", 1761; dedicated to Voltaire.
- "Epistle [in verse] from Lady Jane GreyLady Jane GreyLady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
to Lord Guildford DudleyLord Guildford DudleyLord Guildford Dudley was the husband of Lady Jane Grey who, declared as his heir by King Edward VI, occupied the English throne from 6/10 July till 19 July 1553. Guildford Dudley enjoyed a humanist education and was married to Jane in a magnificent celebration about six weeks before...
", supposed to have been written in the TowerTower of LondonHer Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
a few days before they suffered, 1762. - "The Alps, a Poem", 1763; it was dedicated to Edward YoungEdward YoungEdward Young was an English poet, best remembered for Night Thoughts.-Early life:He was the son of Edward Young, later Dean of Salisbury, and was born at his father's rectory at Upham, near Winchester, where he was baptized on 3 July 1683. He was educated at Winchester College, and matriculated...
. - "Netley Abbey, an Elegy", 1764; 2nd ed. 1769, and often reprinted with John Bullar's "Visit to Netley Abbey".
- "The Temple Student, an Epistle to a Friend", 1765.
- "Poem to the Memory of the celebrated Mrs. Cibber" [anon.], 1766; for Susannah Maria Cibber.
- "Ferney; an Epistle to Voltaire", 1768. In praise of Voltaire and his works, but with compliments to ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
, for which the author was rewarded, in the jubilee year 1769, by the mayor and corporation of Stratford-upon-Avon, with an ink-standish made out of a mulberry-tree planted by Shakespeare, and with the freedom of the town. - The Monument in Arcadia, a dramatic poem in two acts, 1773; suggested by Nicolas PoussinNicolas PoussinNicolas Poussin was a French painter in the classical style. His work predominantly features clarity, logic, and order, and favors line over color. His work serves as an alternative to the dominant Baroque style of the 17th century...
's picture Les Bergers d'Arcadie of shepherds and shepherdesses contemplating a monument with the words Et in Arcadia egoEt in Arcadia ego"Et in Arcadia ego" is a Latin phrase that most famously appears as the title of two paintings by Nicolas Poussin . They are pastoral paintings depicting idealized shepherds from classical antiquity, clustering around an austere tomb...
; used by Christian Felix WeißeChristian Felix WeißeChristian Felix Weiße was a German writer and pedagogue. Weiße was among the leading representatives of the Enlightenment in Germany and is regarded as the founder of German children's literature.-Life:...
for a librettoLibrettoA libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
to a lost operaOperaOpera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
by Johann Adam Hiller. - Sketches from Nature, taken and coloured in a Journey to MargateMargate-Demography:As of the 2001 UK census, Margate had a population of 40,386.The ethnicity of the town was 97.1% white, 1.0% mixed race, 0.5% black, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% Chinese or other ethnicity....
, 1779, 2 vols.; an imitation of Laurence SterneLaurence SterneLaurence Sterne was an Irish novelist and an Anglican clergyman. He is best known for his novels The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy; but he also published many sermons, wrote memoirs, and was involved in local politics...
, which passed through several editions, and was translated into French. - Poetical Works, 1781, 2 vols.; they were dedicated to Dr. HeberdenWilliam HeberdenWilliam Heberden , English physician, was born in London, where he received the early part of his education.At the end of 1724 he was sent to St John's College, Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship, around 1730, became master of arts in 1732, and took the degree of MD in 1739...
, and included all his published poems, with many additions, the chief of which was one cantoCantoThe canto is a principal form of division in a long poem, especially the epic. The word comes from Italian, meaning "song" or singing. Famous examples of epic poetry which employ the canto division are Lord Byron's Don Juan, Valmiki's Ramayana , Dante's The Divine Comedy , and Ezra Pound's The...
of the Helvetiad, written at Geneva in 1756, and intended for a description of the revolution in SwitzerlandOld Swiss ConfederacyThe Old Swiss Confederacy was the precursor of modern-day Switzerland....
in the fourteenth century. He was dissuaded by Voltaire from completing it. - "Epistle to Angelica Kauffman", 1781.
- "The Distressed Poet, a Serio-comic Poem", 1787; describing his troubles through a protracted suit at common lawCommon lawCommon law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
with his architect, Mr. Adam.
- Account of the Pelew Islands, from the Journals of Captain Henry Wilson and some of his officers, shipwrecked there in the Antelope in August 1783, 1788. This work was based on the account of Henry Wilson. It was often reprinted (with a supplement by John Pearce Hockin in 1803), and was translated into French (1793) and German (1800). The French translation has been attributed to Mirabeau.
Some of Keate's poems are in George Pearch's Collection, iii. 269–74; and he wrote prologues and epilogues for the dramatic representations at Newcome's Hackney school, besides adapting Voltaire's Sémiramis for the stage. Keate also contributed "Observations on some Roman Earthenware" to Archæologia. vi. 125–9.
Between 1766 and 1789 Keate exhibited six pictures at the Society of Artists
Society of Artists
The Society of Artists of Great Britain was founded in London in May 1761 by an association of artists in order to provide a venue for the public exhibition of recent work by living artists, such as was having success in the long-established Paris salons....
and thirty at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. His correspondence with Voltaire and Edward Young went to the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
(Addit. MSS. 30991–2).
Family
He married in February 1769 Jane Catharine, daughter of Joseph Hudson, who had been Dutch consul at TunisTunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
, and only sister of Sir Charles Grave Hudson, bart., of Wanlip
Wanlip
Wanlip is a small village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, with 68 properties and a population of about 150. It is a countryside village, north of Birstall, and west of Watermead Country Park and the River Soar. The A46 road runs directly past the village...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
. Their issue was one daughter, Georgiana Jane Keate afterwards Mrs. Henderson (1770–1850), who exhibited four pictures at the Society of Artists in 1791, and painted from memory a portrait of Prince Lee Boo, fifteen months after his death, for her father's account of the Pelew islands. She married, on 9 June 1796, John Henderson, B.C.L. (1764–1843), of Adelphi Terrace, London, one of the early patrons of Thomas Girtin
Thomas Girtin
Thomas Girtin was an English painter and etcher. A friend and rival of J. M. W. Turner, Girtin played a key role in establishing watercolour as a reputable art form.-Biography:...
and J. M. W. Turner
J. M. W. Turner
Joseph Mallord William Turner RA was an English Romantic landscape painter, watercolourist and printmaker. Turner was considered a controversial figure in his day, but is now regarded as the artist who elevated landscape painting to an eminence rivalling history painting...
, and himself an amateur artist. Their children were Charles Cooper Henderson, John Henderson
John Henderson (collector)
-Life:Born in Adelphi Terrace, London, he was son of John Henderson and Georgiana Jane, only child of George Keate, F.R.S. His father, an amateur artist, was an early patron of Thomas Girtin and J. M. W. Turner, who frequently worked together in his house...
, and three daughters, who died unmarried. There are portraits of the mother by Angelica Kauffman and John Russell
John Russell (painter)
John Russell was an English painter renowned for his portrait work in oils and pastels, and as a writer and teacher of painting techniques.-Life and work:...
, R.A. She died 8 January 1850, and was buried in her husband's grave at Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery is a cemetery in Kensal Green, in the west of London, England. It was immortalised in the lines of G. K. Chesterton's poem The Rolling English Road from his book The Flying Inn: "For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen; Before we go to Paradise by way of...
.
Further reading
- Susan Bennett (2008), I Admired Your Talent' – The Artistic Life of Georgiana Jane Henderson (née Keate) (1771–1850), ISBN 978-3639109139
Attribution