Gould, Robert (DNB00)
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Gould, Robert
by Gordon Goodwin ‎
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1200601Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 22
Gould, RobertGordon Goodwin ‎1890
​GOULD, ROBERT (d. 1709?), poet, was originally a servant of Charles, earl of Dorset and Middlesex. He contrived to obtain some education, and in 1680 wrote 'Love given over, or a Satyr against Woman,' which became popular. His 'Presbytery rough-drawn, a Satyr. In contemplation of the late Rebellion,' 4to, London, followed in 1683. In 1689, being then under thirty, he published a volume of 'Poems chiefly consisting of Satyrs and Satyrical Epistles,' 8vo, London (2nd edit., 1697), hoping by its sale to realise sufficient to set up in business. In this he was disappointed, and in deep distress found a friend in James, earl of Abingdon, who employed him at his country seat at Rycote in Oxfordshire. His next publications were: 'The Corruption of the Times by Money, a Satyr,' 4to, London, 1693, and 'A Poem most humbly offered to the Memory of … Queen Mary,' fol., London, 1695. A more ambitious attempt was a tragedy entitled: 'The Rival Sisters, or the Violence of Love,' 4to, London, 1696, the plot of which is in great measure borrowed from Shirley's 'Maid's Revenge.' It was acted with some success at Drury Lane Theatre, D'Urfey supplying both prologue and epilogue. After Gould's death in 1708 or 1709 his widow, Martha, issued an edition of his 'Works,' 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1709. Another of his tragedies called 'Innocence Distress'd, or the Royal Penitents,' 8vo, London, 1737, was published by subscription for the benefit of his daughter, Hannah Gould.
[Gould's Works; Baker's Biog. Dram. (Reed & Jones), i. 293, ii. 325–6, iii. 212.]
G. G.
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Last edited on 23 November 2011, at 00:49