GRAVELOTTE, a village in Lorraine, 7 m.  W. of Metz; was the scene of a German victory over the French in 1870.

GRAVESEND (35), a thriving river-port and watering-place in Kent, on the Thames, opposite Tilbury Fort, 24 m.  SE. of London; the new town rises amid picturesque surroundings above the old town; it is the chief pilot station for the river; there is a busy trade in shipbuilding, iron-founding, brewing, &c.

GRAY, ASA, a distinguished American botanist, born at Paris, Oneida County, New York; graduated in medicine in 1842; became Fisher professor of Natural History at Harvard, and in 1874 succeeded Agassiz as Regent of the Smithsonian Institution; his writings did much to promote the study of botany in America on a sound scientific basis, and also to forward the theories of Darwin; in conjunction with Dr. Torrey he wrote “The Flora of North America,” and by himself various manuals of botany and “Natural Science and Religion” (1810-1888).

GRAY, AULD ROBIN, the title of a ballad by Lady Anne Lindsay, from the name of its hero, a good old man who married a young girl whose lover is thought to be dead, but who turns up to claim her a month after.

GRAY, JOHN EDWARD, English naturalist, born at Walsall; studied medicine, and at 24 entered the British Museum as an assistant in the Natural History department; in 1840 he became keeper of the Zoological Collections, of which he made a complete catalogue, enriched with most valuable notes; is the author of books and papers to the number of 500, and was an active promoter of scientific societies in London (1800-1875).

GRAY, THOMAS, English poet, born in Cornhill, London, for whom Horace Walpole conceived a warm attachment, which, after a brief rupture, lasted with life; gave himself up to the study of Greek literature, and began to cultivate the muse of poetry; produced in 1747 “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,” and in 1750 his well-known “Elegy written in a Country Churchyard”; these were followed by the “Pindaric Odes,” the “Progress of Poesy,” and the “Bard,” which was finished in 1757; in 1760 he was presented by the Duke of Grafton with the professorship of Modern History in Cambridge, a sinecure office with L400 a year.  “All is clear light,” says Stopford Brooke, “in Gray’s work.  Out of the love of Greek he drew his fine lucidity....  He moved with easy power over many forms of poetry, but there is naturalness and no rudeness in the power.  It was adorned by high ornament and finish....  The ‘Elegy’ will always remain one of the beloved poems of Englishmen; it is not only a piece of exquisite work; it is steeped in England” (1716-1771).

GREAT COMMONER, WILLIAM PITT, who became Earl Chatham (q. v.).

GREAT DUKE, DUKE OF WELLINGTON (q. v.).

GREAT EASTERN, the name of the largest ship ever built; was designed by Brunel and Scott Russell; laid down at Milwall in 1854, and launched in 1858, having cost L732,000; it did not prove a successful venture; was latterly used for laying the Atlantic cables; subsequently became a coal-hulk at Gibraltar, and in the end was sold in 1888 for old iron.