Early Career
After leaving King’s, Gilbert had a wide-ranging selection of careers, starting out as an assistant clerk in the Privy Council Office. He subsequently became a barrister, practising across the UK until 1866. From 1861, alongside his legal career, he also worked as a journalist, critic, translator, short-story writer, occasional war correspondent, illustrator, dramatist, also writing some early librettos.
In 1875 the first collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan, Trial by Jury, was produced in London. Their partnership endured until the early 1890s, creating what were later known as the Savoy Operas, with some of the most famous works including HMS Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe and The Mikado.
In 1907 Gilbert became the first dramatist to receive a knighthood. He passed away later that year, suffering a heart attack whilst rescuing a young lady he was teaching to swim in a lake. His body of work has survived over a century, and continues to be enjoyed by audiences across the world.