Gibbons, Richard, brother of Father John Gibbons, b. at Winchester, 1550 or 1549; d. at Douai, 23 June, 1632. After making his early studies in England, and completing a two years’ course in philosophy at Louvain and in the German College at Rome, he entered the Society of Jesus, on 1 Sept., 1572, and continued his studies for three years. After his ordination, he taught mathematics for thirteen years, philosophy for ten, scholastic theology for three and for some time also Hebrew and Scripture, dividing his time between Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and Belgium. For a while he occupied the offices of prefect of studies at Louvain, and of preacher in the Jesuit College at St-Omer. His later years were spent at Douai, in printing ancient manuscripts, and in translating, editing, and annotating various learned works. The following deserve to be noticed: “Historia admiranda de Jesu Christi stigmatibus ab Alphonso Paleato Archiepisc. II. Bononiensi explicata. Accessit tomus II... Historie admirande.. . complectens M. Vigerii S. R. E. Cardinalis de praecipuis Incarnati Verbi mysteriis decachordum Christianum” (Douai, 1616). “R. P. Francisci Ribera ... in librum Duodecim Prophetarum commentarii . . .” (Douai, 1612). “Historia Anglicana Ecclesiastica a primis gentis susceptæ fidei Incunabulis ad nostra fere tempora deducta . . . auctore Nicolao Harpsfeldio”? (Douai, 1622). “Ludovici de Ponte Meditationum de Vita et Passione Christi, Libri II, ex Hispanico in Latinum versi” (Cologne, 1612). “A Spiritual Doctrine, conteining a Rule to Live Wel, with divers Praiers” (Louvain, 1599). “Meditations uppon the Mysteries of our Holy Faith, with the Practise of Mental Praier .. .” (Douai?, 1610). “The First Part of the Meditations of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ our Saviour” (1614?). “Translation of Bellarmine’s Christian Doctrine”.
Gillow, Bibl. Dict. Eng. Cath., s. v.; Cooper in Dict. Nat. Biog., s. v-; SOMMERVOGEL, Bibl. de la Compagnie de Jésus, III; Hurter, Nomenclator.
A. J. Maas.