GELL, SIR WILLIAM, a distinguished classical scholar and antiquarian, was born in 1777. After the usual preliminary education, he was entered of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, of which he afterwards became a fellow. About the beginning of the present century he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Greece; on his return from which, in 1803, he was knighted. In the following year he published his Topography of Troy and its Vicinity, illustrated and explained by drawings and descriptions. He had only spent three days in the actual survey of this classic spot; but the critics were at first loud in praise of the ability, research, and correctness of his work. A more careful scrutiny, however, caused them to modify their verdicts considerably. Lord Byron who had at first praised the book, afterwards felt more inclined to condemn it. In his English Bards that poet had said—
Of Dardan tours let dilettanti tell;
I leave topography to rapid Gell.
The term rapid was a substitute for classic, which had been the original epithet. Some of his other works were perhaps chargeable with the same fault, such as his Geography and Antiquities of Ithaca. An exception, however, must be made in favour of his interesting Pompeiana, or Observations on the Topography, Edifices, and Ornaments of Pompeii; in which he was assisted by Mr J. P. Gandy.
Gell's noble and disinterested behaviour during the trial of Queen Caroline, and his manly courage in facing and braving the frowns of the great who took part with the regent at that time, exhibit his moral character in a very favourable light. The queen showed her sense of his co-operation in her defence by appointing him one of her chamberlains in 1820. He suffered severely from gout during the latter years of his life; and died at Naples in 1836.