Hamilton Aïdé

Charles Hamilton Aide (sometimes written as Aidé or Aïdé; 4 November 1826 – 13 December 1906) was "for many years a conspicuous figure in London literary society, a writer of novels, songs and dramas of considerable merit and popularity, and a skillful amateur artist". In particular, Aide was "known for such widely anthologized lyrics as 'Love, the Pilgrim', 'Lost and Found' and 'George Lee'".

Biography

Aide was born in Paris, France. His father, a Greek exile, of good character, was killed in a duel when Aide was four years old. He was thereafter raised in England by his mother, who was the daughter of British Admiral George Collier. Aide attended the University of Bonn, then served in the British army seven years until 1853, attaining the rank of captain. He was an acquaintance to English novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. In a 1858 letter to publisher George Smith, she described him as such:A gentleman, who is rather more than an acquaintance & less than a friend has asked me for an introduction to you, with a view of submitting a MS, (nature unknown,) to you. I have ventured to give it, & I shall be much obliged to you if you will ‘honour’ it. His name is Hamilton Aide. His mother was a rich Scottish heiress, his father a Greek exile, of good character; Mr Aide, pere, is dead; the son lives with his mother now, has been a captain in some rather crack regiment, but is now living in Hampshire, All that I know of him is that he & his mother have shown us great kindness in Paris & Rome; that he acts beautifully in French or English private theatricals, sings enchantingly (you could not transact your business with him in a duett, could you? Without any disparagement to your possible musical talents I think you would be a gainer by any mode of hearing him sing,) draws passably – and is altogether full of tastes – about the talents I am not so sure