Isaac Gompertz


Isaac Gompertz was an English poet. He was known for the poems "The Modern Antique", "Time, or Light and Shade" and "Devon", the latter of which was published under the name J. Gompertz.

Biography

Early life and family

Isaac Gompertz was born into a Jewish family in Middlesex, in 1774. He was one of at least 15 children of Solomon Barent Gompertz, a London diamond merchant, and his second wife, Leah Deborah Cohen. His brothers included the animal rights activist and inventor Lewis Gompertz and the mathematician and actuary Benjamin Gompertz. He later composed epitaphs for his brother Barent and for Lewis' wife.

Writing

Gompertz published several poems including "The Modern Antique", "Time, or Light and Shade", and "Devon". The latter was published under the name J. Gompertz.
His works drew positive notice from Leigh Hunt and were reported favorably in the contemporary press. Writers of the period compared his work to that of Dryden, Pope, Addison and Gray; Alexander Jamieson was among those who made such comparisons.

Personal life and death

Gompertz married Charlotte Florence Wattier on 3 December 1818 at St Mary's Church, Ealing. They had three sons.
Gompertz died at his home in Ebury Street, London, on 25 February 1856, at the age of 82. He was buried at Brompton Cemetery.

Publications

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  • ''Devon, a Poem''