William Gilbert (author)

William Gilbert (1804-1890) was a British novelist and naval surgeon, author of several popular fantasy stories. He is perhaps best remembered in modern times, though, as the father of dramatist W. S. Gilbert (1836-1911).

The elder William Gilbert spent much of his time as a young man travelling, only settling down in his middle years well after the birth of his son. The family settled in London in 1849, and Gilbert began his writing career.

Gilbert's 1866 book, Magic Mirror, was illustrated by his multitalented son. Among Gilbert's best-known and most popular works were his Innominato tales, published in various magazines, including Argosy, and finally collected in 1867's The Wizard of the Mountain. These concerned a sorceror called the Innominato, or "Nameless," in 13th century Italy.

Gilbert and his wife were divorced in 1876; he published little thereafter.