Chapter Theobald to Thoms of T by Biographical Dictionary of English Literature

Theobald to Thoms

Theobald, Lewis (1688-1744).—Editor of Shakespeare, and translator, originally an attorney, betook himself to literature, translated from Plato, the Greek dramatists, and Homer, and wrote also essays, biographies, and poems. In 1715 he published Shakespeare Restored, etc., in which he severely criticised Pope’s ed., and was in consequence rewarded with the first place in The Dunciad, and the adoption of most of his corrections in Pope’s next edition Though a poor poet, he was an acute and discriminating critic, made brilliant emendations on some of the classics, and produced in 1734 an edition of Shakespeare which gave him a high place among his ed.

Thirwall, Connop (1797-1875).—Historian, was born at Stepney, the son of a clergyman, and ed. at the Charterhouse and Cambridge He studied law, was called to the Bar in 1825, and in the same year published a translation of Schleiermacher’s Critical Essay on the Gospel of St. Luke. After this, having changed his mind, he took orders in 1827, and the next year translated, with Julius Hare (q.v.), the first vol. of Niebuhr’s History of Rome, and published, also with him, The Philological Museum (1831-33). He was an advocate for the admission of Dissenters to degrees, and in consequence of his action in the matter had to resign his University tutorship. Thereupon Lord Brougham, then Lord Chancellor, presented him to the living of Kirkby Underdale. Between 1835 and 1847 he wrote his great History of Greece, which has a place among historical classics. In 1840 he was made Bishop of St. David’s, in which capacity he showed unusual energy in administering his see. The eleven charges which he delivered during his tenure of the see were pronouncements of exceptional weight upon the leading questions of the time affecting the Church. As a Broad Churchman Thirwall was regarded with suspicion by both High and Low Churchmen, and in the House of Lords generally supported liberal movements such as the admission of Jews to Parliament. He was the only Bishop who was in favour of the disestablishment of the Irish Church.

Thoms, William John (1803-1885).—Antiquary and miscellaneous writer, for many years a clerk in the secretary’s office of Chelsea Hospital, was in 1845 appointed Clerk, and subsequently Deputy Librarian to the House of Lords. He was the founder in 1849 of Notes and Queries, which for some years he also edited Among his publications are Early Prose Romances (1827-28), Lays and Legends (1834), The Book of the Court (1838), Gammer Gurton’s Famous Histories (1846), Gammer Gurton’s Pleasant Stories (1848). He also ed. Stow’s London, and was secretrayof the Camden Society. He introduced the word “folk-lore” into the language.