LOVER

Samuel (eld. son of a member of the Dublin stock exchange). b. Dublin 24 Feb. 1797; a portrait painter, especially in miniatures to 1844; member of Royal Hibernian academy 1828, secretary 1830; wrote Rory O’More 1826, best known of his ballads; his miniature of Pagan in i exhibited at Dublin academy 1832 and at R.A. London 1833; removed to London 1835; wrote The Olympic picnic for Madame Vestris 1835; published Rory O’More, a national romance 1837, his dramatised version of which was acted at Adelphi theatre Oct. 1837 and ran over 100 nights; composed a musical drama The Greek Boy, of which he wrote both music and words, Covent Garden 1838; his burlesque opera Il Paddy Whack in Italia was produced at English opera house 1838; produced his own entertainment called Irish Evenings, at Prince ’s Concert Rooms, March 1844 and in Canada and U.S. of America 1846–8; produced an entertainment called Paddy’s Portfolio, in London 1848; wrote the libretti of two operas for Balfe; his drama the Sentinel of the Alma was produced at Hay market theatre; author of Legends and stories of Ireland 1831; Songs and Ballads 1839; Handy Andy 1842; L. S. D. 1844, new ed. under title of Treasure Trove 1844; Rival rhymes in honour of Burns. Collected and edited by Ben Trovato 1859, and of many popular songs; granted civil list pension of £100, 4 March 1856. d. St. Helier’s, Jersey 6 July 1868. bur. Kensal Green cemet. London 15 July. B. Bernard’s Life of Samuel Lover 2 vols. (1874), portrait ; N. P. Will is’s Hurry-graphs 2 ed. 1851 pp. 196–9; The Critic , xix 229 (1859), portrait ; I.L.N. iv 208 (1844), portrait ; Dublin Univ. Mag. xxxvii 196, portrait .