He remained there some seven years, when he proceeded to London, and took rooms in the Temple, although he was in no way connected with the legal profession.
While in London he became engaged to Elizabeth Thomas, well known as Dryden's 'Corinna,' but owing to his consumptive tendencies the marriage was postponed, and he withdrew to his father's residence in Gloucestershire.
In 1716, on the death of his father, Gwinnett returned to London to press his suit, but the wedding was again deferred owing to the illness of the lady's mother.
He was the author of a play entitled 'The Country Squire, or a Christmas Gambol,' first published in the second volume of 'Pylades and Corinna,' the collected correspondence of Gwinnett and Elizabeth Thomas, London, 1732.
Portraits of Gwinnett were engraved by Van der Gucht and G. King for the 'Pylades and Corinna' volumes.