GILLRAY, JAMES (1757-1815). An English caricaturist. He was born in London, July, 1757, of Irish descent, but little is known of him until he became a student of the Royal Academy, where he made a special study of art designs. His first engraved works were two plates pub lished in 1784; they were illustrations for Gold smith's Deserted Village. In 1792 he visited France, Germany, and Holland; in the same year he published his well-known caricatures, "John Bull and His Family Landing at Boulogne," and the large plate after Northeote, inscribed "La Triomphe de la Liberte, ou Margissement de la Bastille." Gillray has no rival as a caricaturist of the politics and manners of the years 1774 1809. His cartoons represent the fashionable so ciety at Vauxhall Gardens, lords and ladies, sing ers, soldiers, life at home, in the taverns, and in the villages, and the poor quarter of London among the patient, struggling artisans. His comedy was produced by the strongest contrasts.
He was a masterly draughtsman of a vehement style, almost brutal and coarse at times, yet capable of expressing the most delicate feeling and beauty. His caricatures number twelve thousand, and his last work is dated 1811. His death, caused by intemperate habits, occurred in London, June 1, 1815. A satire on an "Irish For tune-hunter," or "Paddy on Horseback," is the earliest known work, dated 1779; other works are: "L'assemblee nationale" or a "Grand Co operative Meeting at Saint Anne's Hill" (1804) ; "A New Way to Pay the National Debt" (1796) ; "Temperance Enjoying a Frugal Meal" and a "Voluptuary Under the Horrors of Digestion" (1792) ; "The Life of William Cobbett, Written by Himself," eight satirical plates (1809) ; "Ele ments of Skating," four plates (1805) ; "Rake's Progress at the five plates (1806). Consult: Buss, English Graphic Satire (London, 1874) ; Everitt, English Caricaturists (ib. 1885).