Thomas Gilliland ( fl. 1804–1837) was a combative British journalist and theatre critic. According to attack pieces in '' The Satirist, or Monthly Meteor'', he was "countenanced" by Matthew "Monk" Lewis and

Thomas Moore Thomas Moore (28 May 1779 – 25 February 1852) was an Irish writer, poet, and lyricist celebrated for his ''Irish Melodies''. Their setting of English-language verse to old Irish tunes marked the transition in popular Irish culture from Irish ...

, and frequented the

green room In show business, the green room is the space in a theatre or similar venue that functions as a waiting room and lounge for performers before, during, and after a performance or show when they are not engaged on stage. Green rooms typically have ...

Drury Lane Theatre The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street (earlier named Bridges or Brydges Street) and backs onto Drur ...

until

Charles Mathews Charles Mathews (28 June 1776, London – 28 June 1835, Devonport) was an English theatre manager and comic actor, well known during his time for his gift of impersonation and skill at table entertainment. His play ''At Home'', in which he pla ...

and other actors complained he was spying for scandalmonger

Anthony Pasquin John Williams (1761–1818) was an English poet, satirist, journalist and miscellaneous writer, best known by the pseudonym of Anthony Pasquin. Life He was born in London on 28 April 1761, and was sent in 1771 to Merchant Taylors' School. There ...

. Gilliland's 1806 pamphlet ''Diamond cut Diamond'' defended the future

George IV George IV (George Augustus Frederick; 12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from the death of his father, King George III, on 29 January 1820, until his own death ten y ...

, then

Prince of Wales Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rulers ...

, against Nathaniel Jefferys's attack, for which the Prince gave him 500 guineas. In 1809,

Mary Anne Clarke Mary Anne Clarke (born Mary Anne Thompson; 3 April 1776 – 21 June 1852) was the mistress of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany., retrieved 24 November 2018 Their relationship began in 1803, while he was Commander-in-Chief of the arm ...

, the

royal mistress A royal mistress is the historical position and sometimes unofficial title of the extramarital lover of a monarch or an heir apparent, who was expected to provide certain services, such as sexual or romantic intimacy, companionship, and advice ...

Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (Frederick Augustus; 16 August 1763 – 5 January 1827) was the second son of George III, King of the United Kingdom and Hanover, and his consort Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. A soldier by profess ...

was about to publish scandalous ''Memoirs'', until Gilliland helped arrange a deal to buy and destroy the publishers' copies. Many attacks on the Duke were published the same year and erroneously rumoured to have been Clarke's memoirs. In 1810 Gilliland collaborated on ''The Rival Princes'', a response to the attacks published in Clarke's name. In 1816 the Prince of Wales, now

Prince Regent A prince regent or princess regent is a prince or princess who, due to their position in the line of succession, rules a monarchy as regent in the stead of a monarch regnant, e.g., as a result of the sovereign's incapacity (minority or illness ...

, granted Gilliland an

annuity In investment, an annuity is a series of payments made at equal intervals.Kellison, Stephen G. (1970). ''The Theory of Interest''. Homewood, Illinois: Richard D. Irwin, Inc. p. 45 Examples of annuities are regular deposits to a savings account, mo ...

of £400, formalised by a contract of June 1817. In 1827, Gilliland bought what he claimed was a portrait of Shakespeare, an identification not otherwise supported.

Edmund Henry Barker Edmund Henry Barker (1788 – 21 March 1839) was an English classical scholar. Life He was born at Hollym in Yorkshire. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, as a scholar in 1807, and in 1809 won the Browne medal for Greek and Latin epigram ...

's ''Literary Anecdotes and Contemporary Reminiscences'' includes several he heard from Gilliland when both were imprisoned for debt in the Fleet in 1837.

Works

Gilliland wrote: *
A Dramatic Synopsis, containing an Essay on the Political and Moral Use of a Theatre, involving Remarks on the Dramatic Writers of the Present Day and Strictures on the Performers of the two Theatres
', London, 1804.

John Joseph Knight (John) Joseph Knight (1829–1907) was an English dramatic critic and theatre historian. Life Born at Leeds on 24 May 1829, he was elder son of Joseph Knight, a cloth merchant from Carlisle, and Marianne, daughter of Joseph Wheelwright. He was ...

said it "contains some sensible opinions". * ''Elbow Room, a Pamphlet containing Remarks on the shameful Increase of the Private Boxes of Covent Garden'', London, 1804. A satire on

John Philip Kemble John Philip Kemble (1 February 1757 – 26 February 1823) was a British actor. He was born into a theatrical family as the eldest son of Roger Kemble, actor-manager of a touring troupe. His elder sister Sarah Siddons achieved fame with him o ...

's management. ''

The Critical Review ''The Critical Review'' was a British publication appearing from 1756 to 1817. It was first edited by Tobias Smollett, from 1756 to 1763. Contributors included Samuel Johnson, David Hume, John Hunter, and Oliver Goldsmith. Early years The ...

'' called it "very scurrilous, and very ridiculous". *
Jack in Office, containing Remarks on Mr. Braham's Address to the Public, with a full and impartial consideration of Mr. Kemble's conduct with regard to the above gentleman
', London, n.d. (1804). Another satire on Kemble, referencing opera singer

John Braham John Braham may refer to: * John Braham (MP) (1417), MP for Suffolk *John Braham (tenor) John Braham ( – 17 February 1856) was an English tenor opera singer born in London. His long career led him to become one of Europe's leading opera stars. ...

. *
Diamond cut Diamond: Observations on a Pamphlet entitled "A Review of the Conduct of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales", comprising a free and impartial View of Mr. Jefferys as a Tradesman, Politician, and Courtier. By Philo Veritas
', 1806.Breashears 2012 fn.26 * '' The Diamond New Pointed; being a Supplement to "Diamond cut Diamond:" containing Three Letters which Mr. Jefferys sent to Earl Moira, with a view to obtain Money from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; with Observations thereon, including Remarks on his Letter to

Mrs. Fitzherbert Maria Anne Fitzherbert (''née'' Smythe, previously Weld; 26 July 1756 – 27 March 1837) was a longtime companion of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV of the United Kingdom). In 1785, they secretly contracted a marriage that was i ...

. By Philo Veritas'', 1806. *
The Dramatic Mirror, containing the History of the Stage from the Earliest Period to the Present Time
', London, 1808, 2 vols., an expansion of the ''Synopsis''. It has information on the provincial theatres, and biographies of the principal actors from the time of Shakespeare and of dramatic writers subsequent to 1660. It was illustrated with portraits and other engravings, and dedicated to the Prince of Wales. Although Knight called it "of little merit", it has been cited in recent scholarship on the history of English theatre. * ''The Trap, a Moral, Philosophical, and Satirical Work, delineating the Snares in which Kings, Princes, and their Subjects have been caught since the days of Adam; including Reflections on the Present Causes of Conjugal Infidelity. Dedicated to the Ladies'', London, 1808, 2 vols., a satire Knight calls "dull and indecorous". The engraver John Thomas Smith called Gilliland "my worthy friend" and "author of the celebrated pamphlet of 'Diamond cut Diamond,' and, I believe, about sixteen or seventeen others in defence and support of the English government".

References

Sources

* *

Citations

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilliland, Thomas British theatre critics 19th-century British writers 18th-century births Year of birth missing 19th-century deaths Year of death missing George IV of the United Kingdom Inmates of Fleet Prison People imprisoned for debt