GEDIMIN, ga'demin, or GEDYMIN, Grand Duke of Lithuania; d. 1342. He inherited vast regions comprising Lithuania, Red Russia, Mink, etc., and immediately had to undertake defensive operations against the predatory Teu tonic knights. The better to effect his purpose he secured the protection of the Holy See and opened his lands to men of every order and pro fession, the first to open semi-savage Russia to the influences of western culture. He was soon engaged in war with the Teutonic knights, but succeeded in extending his domains to the south and east. He was a wise ruler; he protected the clergy of all faiths, encouraged them to civilize his subjects, built strong fortresses along his borders, and built several towns, in cluding Vilna, his capital. He was killed at the siege of Wielowa. Consult Narbutt, Teodor, 'History of the Lithuanian Nation' (Vilna 1835).
GEE, ge, Thomas, Welsh preacher and journalist: b. Denbigh, 24 Jan. 1815; d. 28 Sept.
1898. In 1829 he entered his father's printing office and in 1837 went to London to attain greater proficiency in his trade of printer. Soon after his return he engaged in literary and re ligious work, established the magazine Y Traet hodydd (The Essayist), issued the (Gwyd doniadur Cymreig) (Welsh Encyclopaedia) and Evan's 'English-Welsh Dictionary' (1868). He also founded the Baner Cymru (Welsh Banner) which in 1859 was merged with Yr Amserau (The Times). This paper was a pillar of strength to the Nationalist movement in Wales and its circulation there was universal. In 1847, Gee was ordained to the Calvinistic Methodist ministry and did much for the pro motion of temperance and Sunday-school work He believed in complete disestablishment and favored an itinerant unpaid ministry rather than the usual settled pastorate.