English divine and author, son of Dr. West, prebendary of Winchester, and chaplain to King George I. but at twelve years of age lost his father. He studied at Winchester and Eton schools, and from thence was placed in Christ Church College, Oxford. His studious and serious turn inclined him to take orders; but Lord Cobham, his uncle, diverted him from that pursuit, and gave him a cornetcy in his own regiment. This profession he soon quitted, on account of an opening of another nature, which presented him with a flattering prospect of advancement in life. A number of young gentlemen were to be elected from the universities, and, at the expense of government, were to be taught foreign languages; and then sent to the secretaries office, to be initiated into business, and trained there for public services, as envoys, ambassadors, &c. Mr. Gilbert West was one of the few pitched upon; and on his first introduction into that office, Lord Townsend, secretary of state, treated him with singular marks of regard, and the strongest inclinations to serve him were testified from all quarters. But his uncle Lord Cobham’s strong opposition to the measures of the government, rendered these advantages entirely fruitless; and the ministers honestly told Mr. West, that he must not expect them to distinguish his merit, as any favours conferred upon him would be imputed as done to his uncle Lord Cobham. Mr. West now left that office, and all his views of making his fortune; and entering into marriage, retired to Wickham in Kent, where he lived in great domestic comfort and tranquil happiness. He was there visited by his valuable friends, who held the most delightful converse of wit, humour, and learning, upon the principles of virtue, sound reasoning, and solid friendship, which rendered the whole cheerful, animating, and instructive. Mr. William Pitt, who was one of those that composed this happy society, becoming paymaster, appointed Mr. West treasurer to Chelsea-hospital; and he obtained a seat at the council-board, in consequence of a friendship contracted at the school with one of the duke of Devonshire’s sons, who procured of his grace his being nominated one of the clerks extraordinary of that office. Towards the latter part of Mr. West’s life, he wholly applied himself to the study of the Scriptures; being extremely anxious to try his utmost endeavours to reconcile the seeming inconsistencies which gave the enemies to revealed religion a handle to doubt and discredit their authenticity. His observations on the resurrection, which, it has been said, were written to confirm the wavering faith of his great friends Pitt and Lyttleton, bear ample testimony to his reasoning powers and the sincerity of his religion; while his translations of Pindar show him to have been an eminent Greek scholar, and very considerable poet. He had a mind replete with virtue, and was an honour to his country; but died at fifty years of age. See also Literary Criticism.
