Gilbert and Sullivan

By Jewel Potter, 10/03/07

Gilbert and Sullivan were two Englishmen who together wrote some of Great Britain’s most popular operettas. Gilbert was born in London in 1836. He was a noted journalist, humorist, and playwright. Sullivan was born in London in 1842. He was a famous composer and wrote the music for the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers". For many years they worked independently of each other until a friend convinced them to combine their skills. Their first work together was Thespis, however it did not gain as much fame as they hoped. The H.M.S. Pinafore was their first really popular work. Some other well-known operettas which they wrote are The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. They were both knighted by Queen Victoria. Sullivan died in 1900 at the age of 58. Gilbert died 11 years later at the age of 75. Their works are still played today in many theatres.