RICHARD, the author of Leonidas and several other esteemed works, was the son of Richard Glover, a Hamburgh merchant in London, and was born in St Martin's lane in the year 1712. He very early showed a strong propensity to and genius for poetry; and while at school, he wrote, amongst other pieces, a poem to the memory of Sir Isaac Newton, prefixed to the view of that incomparable author's philosophy, published in 4to, in 1728, by his intimate friend Dr Pemberton. But though possessed of talents which were calculated to excel in the literary world, he was content to devote his attention to commerce, and at a proper period commenced a Hamburgh merchant. He still, however, cultivated literature, and associated with those who were eminent in science. One of his earliest friends was Matthew Green, the ingenious but obscure author of some admirable poems, which in 1737, after his death, were collected and published by Mr Glover. In 1737, Mr Glover married Miss Nunn, with whom he received a handsome fortune; and in the same month published Leonidas, a poem in 4to, which in this and the next year passed through three editions. This poem was inscribed to Lord Cobham; and on its first appearance was received by the world with great approbation, though it has since been unaccountably neglected. Lord Lyttelton, in a popular publication called Common Sense, and in a poem addressed to the author, praised it in the warmest terms; and Dr Pemberton published, Observations on Poetry, especially epic, occasioned by the late poem upon Leonidas, 1738, 12mo, merely with a view to point out its beauties. In 1739, Mr Glover published "London, or the Progress of Commerce," 4to; and a ballad entitled, Holier's Ghost. Both these pieces seem to have been written with a view to incite the public to resent the misbehaviour of the Spaniards; and the latter had a very considerable effect. The political divisions at this period raged with great violence, and more especially in the metropolis; and at different meetings of the livery on those occasions, Mr Glover was always called to the chair, and acquitted himself in a very able manner, his conduct being patriotic and his speeches masterly. His talents for public speaking, his knowledge of political affairs, and his information concerning trade and commerce, soon afterwards pointed him out to the merchants of London as a proper person to conduct their application to parliament on the subject of the neglect of their trade. He accepted the office; and in summing up the evidence gave very striking proofs of his oratorical powers. This speech was pronounced Jan. 27. 1742.

In the year 1744 died the duchess of Marlborough, and by her will left to Mr Glover and Mr Mallet 500l. each, to write the History of the Duke of Marlborough's Life. This bequest, however, never took place. It is supposed that Mr Glover very early renounced his share of it; and Mallet, though he continued to talk of performing the task almost as long as he lived, is now known never to have made the least progress in it. About this period Mr Glover withdrew a good deal from public notice, and lived a life of retirement. He had been unsuccessful in his business; and with a very laudable delicacy had preferred an obscure retreat to popular observation, until his affairs should put on a more prosperous appearance. He had been honoured with the attention of Frederick prince of Wales, who once presented him with a complete set of the classics, elegantly bound; and, on his abstaining himself for some time on account of the embarrassment in his circumstances, sent him, it is said, 500l. The prince died in March 1751; and in May following Mr Glover was once more drawn from his retreat by the importunity of his friends, and stood candidate for the place of chamberlain of London. It unfortunately happened that he did not declare himself until most of the livery had engaged their votes; by which means he lost his election.

In 1753, Mr Glover produced at Drury Lane his tragedy of Boadicea; which was acted nine nights, in the month of December. It had the advantage of the performance of Mr Garrick, Mr Molesworth, Mrs Cibber, and Mrs Pritchard. From the prologue it seems to have been patronized by the author's friends in the city; and Dr Pemberton wrote a pamphlet to recommend it.—In 1761, Mr Glover published Medea, a tragedy written on the Greek model; but it was not acted until 1767, when it appeared for the first time on the stage at Drury Lane for Mrs Yates's benefit. At the accession of his present majesty, he appears to have surmounted the difficulties of his situation. In the parliament which was then called, he was chosen member for Weymouth, and continued to sit as such until the dissolution of it. He, about this time, interested himself about India affairs, at one of Mr Sullivan's elections; and in a speech introduced the fable of the man, horse, and bear; and drew this conclusion, that, whenever merchants make use of armed forces to maintain their trade, it would end in their destruction.

In 1770, the poem of Leonidas requiring a new edition, it was republished in two volumes 12mo, corrected throughout, and extended from nine books to twelve. It had also several new characters added, besides placing the old ones in new situations. The improvements made in it were very considerable; but we believe the public curiosity, at this period, was not sufficiently alive to recompense the pains bestowed on this once popular performance. The calamities arising from the wounds given to public credit, in June 1772, by the failure of the bank of Douglas, Heron, and Co., in Scotland, occasioned Mr Glover's taking a very active part in the settling those complicated concerns, and in stopping the distresses then so universally felt. In February 1774, he called the annuants of that banking-house together, at the King's Arms tavern, and laid proposals before them for the security of their demands, with which they were fully satisfied. He also undertook to manage the interests of the merchants and and traders of London concerned in the trade to Germany and Holland, and of the dealers in foreign linens, in their application to parliament in May 1774. Both the speeches made on these occasions were published in a pamphlet in that year. In the succeeding year he engaged on behalf of the West India merchants in their application to parliament, and examined the witnesses and summed up the evidence in the same matterly manner he had done on former occasions. For the affluence he afforded the merchants in this business, he was complimented by them with a service of plate, of the value of £300. The speech which he delivered in the house was in the same year printed. This, we believe, was the last opportunity he had of displaying his oratorical talents in public. Having now arrived at a period of life which demanded a recollection from business, Mr. Glover retired to ease and independence, and wore out the remainder of his days with dignity and with honour. It is probable that he still continued his attention to his mule, as we are informed that, besides an epic poem of considerable length, he has left some tragedies and comedies behind him in manuscript. After experiencing for some time the infirmities of age, he departed this life 25th November 1785; leaving behind him a most estimable character as a man, a citizen, and a writer.