Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/D'Ouvilly, George Gerbier

1246366Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 15 — D'Ouvilly, George Gerbier1888Gordon Goodwin

D'OUVILLY, GEORGE GERBIER (fl. 1661), dramatist and translator, a Dutchman, was a connection of Sir Balthazar Gerbier, baron D'Ouvilly [q. v.], and, like him, was patronised by William, lord Craven. He joined Lord Craven's regiment in the Low Countries, and rose to be a captain. At the Restoration he was residing in London. He wrote an unacted tragi-comedy entitled ‘The False Favourite Disgrac'd, and the Reward of Loyalty,’ 12mo, London, 1657, a play with a well-constructed plot, but of uncouth diction. He also translated some biographies from the French of André Thevet, which, under the title of ‘Prosopagraphia, or some Select Pourtraitures and Lives of Ancient and Modern Illustrious Personages,’ forms the third part of William Lee's edition of North's ‘Plutarch,’ folio, London, 1657. Another performance was ‘Il Trionfo d'Inghilterra overo Racconto et Relatione delle Solennità fatte & osservate nella … Incoronatione … di Carlo Secondo … nel terzo giorno di Maggio, 1661, insieme con la descrittione degl' Archi Trionfali … e altre … dimostrationi d'Allegrezze … nella … Città di Londra … et anco la superba Cavalcata fatta … il giorno innanzi. … Il tutto transportato nella lingua Italiana, per il Capitan Giorgio Gerbieri D'Ouvilly,’ 4to, Venice, 1661.

[Baker's Biog. Dram. (1812), i. 556, ii. 219; Brit. Mus. Cat.]

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