GOLDSMITH, OLIVER, a famous English author; born in Pallas, Long ford co., Ireland, Nov. 10, 1728. In 1745 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, where he gave no indications of genius or scholastic talents, and becoming in volved in some youthful irregularities, quitted the university, and led for some time a sort of vagrant life. Returning to college, he was graduated B. A. in 1749, after which he proceeded to Edinburgh and Leyden universities to study medi cine. He set out on foot for a tour of the European continent, supplied with no other means than those afforded by his good spirits, and a favorite flute. After taking his degree in medicine at Padua, he returned to England in 1756, where he commenced practice as a physician, in which he was unsuccessful. He then entered the field of letters; and after passing a period of obscurity and privation as a "bookseller's hack," his first work to attract attention was an "In quiry Into the Present State of Polite Learning in Europe" (1759). To this
succeeded "The Citizen of the World," a "Life of Beau Nash," and a "History of England." Becoming acquainted with Dr. Johnson, in 1761, the latter intro duced Goldsmith to the Literary Club. In 1764 appeared "The Traveler," which at once placed Goldsmith in the front rank of English authors. Two years afterward appeared the "Vicar of Wakefield." Following in rapid succes sion came "The Good-natured Man" (1767), "History of Rome" (1768), and his exquisite poem, "The Deserted lage" (1769). In 1773, his immortal comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer" took the public by storm. His other works are "Grecian History" (1774), "Retalia tion," a seriocomic poem (1774), and "History of Animated Nature," which he did not live to finish. He died in London April 4, 1774.