Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774)

Goldsmith Contemplates Lissoy, by W. Lee Hankey

A painting of Oliver Goldsmith looking towards his home at Lissoy. It is taken from a 1909 edition of The Deserted Village, illustrated by W. Lee Hankey, and published by Constable & Company Ltd., London.

Goldsmith Contemplates Lissoy, by W. Lee Hankey

Goldsmith Contemplates Lissoy, by W. Lee Hankey

A painting of Oliver Goldsmith looking towards his home at Lissoy. It is taken from a 1909 edition of The Deserted Village, illustrated by W. Lee Hankey, and published by Constable & Company Ltd., London.

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Oliver Goldsmith was born in 1728. His birthplace is disputed, but it was possibly at Smith-Hill House, Elphin, Co. Roscommon. The Goldsmith family moved to Co. Longford. Goldsmith's father, Charles Goldsmith, was an Anglo-Irish clergyman, and had been given a new position there in Kilkenny West. Oliver grew up the fifth of seven children and was clumsy as a child.

The Goldsmith family settled in a pleasant house with a farm of about seventy acres, located just outside the village of Lissoy. Goldsmith later immortalised the village as 'Auburn' in his famous poem 'The Deserted Village'. He attended schools in Elphin, Athlone and Edgeworthstown. While still very young, Goldsmith got smallpox and was left disfigured for life.

Trinity College Dublin

This image shows Trinity College Dublin as it is today. Oliver Goldsmith attended this university for his B.A., graduating in 1749. Goldsmith Hall, which houses student accommodation on the Trinity College campus and a lecture theatre, is named after him.

Image courtesy of Brendan J. Dempsey, AVMS, Trinity College Dublin.

Trinity College Dublin
Image courtesy of Brendan J. Dempsey, AVMS, Trinity College Dublin.

Trinity College Dublin

This image shows Trinity College Dublin as it is today. Oliver Goldsmith attended this university for his B.A., graduating in 1749. Goldsmith Hall, which houses student accommodation on the Trinity College campus and a lecture theatre, is named after him.

Image courtesy of Brendan J. Dempsey, AVMS, Trinity College Dublin.

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In 1744, Goldsmith went to Trinity College to study theology and law, where his clumsiness and crude manners prevented him making many friends. In 1747, his father, the Reverend Charles Goldsmith passed away. On graduating in 1749, Goldsmith travelled around Europe, often earning his keep by playing the flute.

Gilbert Munger Etching of Oliver Goldsmith's Grave, 1879

An 1879 etching of the grave of Oliver Goldsmith, by Gilbert Munger. Goldsmith is buried in the grounds of the Church of St. Mary, Middle Temple, Fleet Street, London.

Image courtesy http://gilbertmunger.org.

Gilbert Munger Etching of Oliver Goldsmith's Grave, 1879
Image courtesy http://gilbertmunger.org.

Gilbert Munger Etching of Oliver Goldsmith's Grave, 1879

An 1879 etching of the grave of Oliver Goldsmith, by Gilbert Munger. Goldsmith is buried in the grounds of the Church of St. Mary, Middle Temple, Fleet Street, London.

Image courtesy http://gilbertmunger.org.

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Goldsmith was said to be a likeable man, but disorganised. He once decided to emigrate to America, but failed to do so because he missed his ship. In 1756, Goldsmith moved to London where in 1759, he published his own literary magazine entitled the Bee. His gift allowed him to write graceful, lively and readable stories.

Goldsmith died on the 4 April 1774, after a short illness. He is buried in the grounds of the Church of St. Mary, Middle Temple, Fleet Street, London.

On Goldsmith's epitaph, his friend Samuel Johnson wrote:

'Oliver Goldsmith: A Poet, Naturalist, and Historian,
Who left scarcely any style of writing untouched,
And touched nothing that he did not adorn;
Of all passions, whether smiles were to be moved or tears,
A powerful yet gentle master;
In genius, sublime, vivid, versatile,
In style, clear, elevated, elegant -
The love of companions,
The fidelity of friends,
And the veneration of readers,
Have by this monument honoured the memory.'