LOVER, SAMUEL, artist, novelist, song-writer, and composer, was the son of a stock broker in Dublin, and was born in that city,in 1797. At an early age he showed a great desire to become an artist, and with genius and perseverance, succeeded so far that, in 1828, he was elected a member of the royal Hibernian society of arts. In 1833 he exhibited at the royal academy a portrait of Pagiinini, which is said to have brought'hini some reputation as a portrait-painter.. As a miniature-painter, in Dublin, he took like nesses of the principal aristocracy and leaders of Irish society. But while thus engaged, he discovered that he possessed a genius for authorship as well as' ,for art, and was encouraged to make some attempts in that direction by the favorable opinion of Thomas Moore. In 1832 he published a collection of short pieces, entitled Legends and Stories of Ireland, by Samuel Lover, 1?.II. A. with six Etchings by the Author (12mo, Dublin), which was favorably received, and foilowed by a second series, published in London in 1834. In 1837 Mr. Lover settled in London, and having made authorship his profession, contributed largely to the periodical literature of the day. He also wrote Rory 0' More, a romance of Irish life, which immediately became popular. Its production on the stage, with the excellent acting of Power in the principal character, made the author stilc more known. His next publication was Handy Andy, commenced, but not com pleted, in Bentley's Miscellany ; the entire work, with illustrations bythe author, aPpear ina in 1842. In 1844 Mr. Lover published Treasure Trove, the first of a series of Accounts
of Irish Heirs, etc.; with twenty-six Illustrations on Steel fry the Author. This was origi nally published iu nurnbera, under the title of L. S. D., or Accounts of Irish Heirs, etc. As a writer of songs Mr. Lover holds a well-earned reputation; his Rory 0' More, Molly Bawn, Low-backed Car, Molly Carew, and others, have long been established favorites with the public. In 1839 Mr. Lover published a collection of his Songs and Ballads, with the words only; but considerably more than 100 of his songs have been separately published with music, com-sosed or adapted by the authOr himself. In 1844 Mr. Lover projected an entPrtainment called " Irish evenings," which was very popular both in London and the rzovinces. Its success encouraged him to visit the United States,where his entertainment was also well received. He returned from America in 1848, when he made his experiences there the material for a new entertainment,which he gave in Lon don 3Ir. Lover was for some years in the receipt of a pension from the crown, in recognition of his literary raerits. Besides the works already mentioned, and hiS numer ous songs, Mr. Lover was author of Metrical Tales, and other Poems, published in 1860. He was also the editor of a well-selected compilation of songs and ballads by- various authors, entitled The Lyrics of _Ireland, published in 1858. He died July 6, 1868.