[3] His father was born in Idstein, near Wiesbaden, in the Duchy of Nassau (now part of Germany), and represented that country in New York as consul general until it was absorbed by the Kingdom of Prussia in 1866.

[1] When Gustav Kobbé was ten years old, he was sent to Wiesbaden to study composition and the piano with Adolf Hagen.

[5] He made his career in literary and newspaper work, and contributed articles on musical and dramatic subjects to the leading magazines and periodicals.

He became music critic of the New York Herald when that newspaper was owned by James Gordon Bennett, remaining with it for eighteen years.

[4] Gustav's brother, Major General William August Kobbé (1840–1931), served with the United States Army and became famous during the war on the Philippines.