GIBSON, Dr Edmund, bishop of London, was born
in Westmoreland, in 1699. He applied himself early
and vigorously to learning, and displayed his know-
ledge in several writings and translations, which re-
commended him to the patronage of Archbishop Ten-
nison. He was appointed domestic chaplain to his
Grace; and we soon after find him rector of Lam-
beth, and archdeacon of Surrey. Becoming thus a
member of the convocation, he engaged in a contro-
versy, which was carried on with great warmth by
the members of both houses, and defended his pa-
tron's rights, as president, in eleven pamphlets; he
then formed and completed his more comprehensive
scheme of the legal duties and rights of the English
clergy, which was at length published under the title of
Codex Juris Ecclesiastici Anglicani, in folio. Arch-
bishop Tennison dying in 1715, and Dr Wake bishop of
Lincoln being made archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Gib-
son succeeded the latter in the see of Lincoln, and in
1720 was promoted to the bishopric of London. He
now not only governed his diocese with the most exact
regularity, but by his great care promoted the spiritual
affairs of the church of England colonies in the West
Indies. He was extremely jealous of the least of the
privileges belonging to the church; and therefore,
though he approved of the toleration of the Protestant
Dissenters, he continually guarded against all the at-
tempts made to procure a repeal of the corporation
and test acts; in particular, his opposition to those li-
centious assemblies called masquerades, gave great um-
brage at court, and effectually excluded him from all
further favours. He spent the latter part of his life
in writing and printing pastoral letters, visitation-
charges, occasional sermons, and tracts against the
prevailing immoralities of the age. His pastoral letters
are justly esteemed as the most masterly productions
against infidelity and enthusiasm. His most celebrated
work, the Codex, has been already mentioned. His
other publications are, 1. An edition of Drummond's
Polemia Middinia, and James V. of Scotland's Canti-
lena Rustica, with notes. 2. The Chronicon Saxonicum,
with a Latin translation, and notes. 3. Reliquiae
Spelmanianæ, the posthumous works of Sir
Henry Spelman, relating to the laws and antiquities
of England. 4. An edition of Quintilian de Arte
Oratoria, with notes. 5. An English translation of
Camden's Britannia, with additions, two volumes fo-
lio: and, 6. A number of small pieces, that have been
collected together and printed in three volumes folio.—
His intense application to study impaired his health;
notwithstanding which, he attained the age of 79. He
expired in September 1748, after an episcopate of near
33 years.—With regard to Bishop Gibson's private life
and character, he was in every respect a perfect econo-
mist. His abilities were so well adapted to discharge
the duties of his sacred function, that during the in-
capacity of Archbishop Wake, the transaction of ec-
clesiastical affairs was committed to the bishop of Lon-
don. He was a true friend to the established church
and government, and as great an enemy to persecu-
tion. He was usually consulted by the most learned
and exalted personages in church and state, and the
greatest deference was paid to his judgment. He
possessed the social virtues in an eminent degree; his
beneficence was very extensive; and he had such gene-
rosity, that he freely gave two thousand five hundred pounds, left him by Dr Crow, who was once his chaplain, to Crow's own relations, who were very poor.