GIBBONS, GRINLING English was born in 1648, according to some authorities of Dutch parents at Rotterdam, and according to others of English parents at Lon don. By the former he is said to have come to London after the great fire in 1666. He died in London on Aug. 3, 1721. Gibbons early displayed great talent in his art, and was recommended by Evelyn to Charles II., who employed him in the execution of statuary and of ornamental carving in wood. He also worked for Sir Christopher Wren. One of his principal works is a life-size bronze statue representing James II. in the dress of a Roman emperor, and he also designed the base of the statue of Charles I. at Charing Cross. He is, however, chiefly famous as a sculptor in wood. He executed the ornamental carving for the chapel at • Windsor, the foliage and festoons in the choir of St. Paul's, the baptismal fonts in St. James's, and an immense quantity of orna mental work at Burleigh, Chatsworth and other great houses. The finest of all his productions is a ceiling at Petworth. His subjects are chiefly birds, flowers, foliage, fruit and lace, characterized by delicacy and elaboration of details, and truthfulness of imitation. In 1714 Gibbons was appointed master carver in wood to George I. Sometimes, he would waste his time on trifling subjects. Many flowers he carved shook when shaken by a breeze. See A. E. Bullock, Grinling Gibbons & his Compeers, H. A. Tipping, Grinling Gibbons & the Woodwork of his Age (1914)•