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'''Richard Thomson''' (1794–1865) was an English librarian and antiquary.
{{Short description|English librarian and antiquarian}}
{{Multiple image
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|image1 = Richard Thomson, An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John (1829, engraved title page).jpg
|image2 = Richard Thomson, An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John (1829, title page).jpg
|footer = The engraved and ordinary title pages of Thomson's book ''[[:File:Richard Thomson, An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John (1829).pdf|An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John]]'' (1829)
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'''Richard Thomson''' (1794–1865) was an English librarian and antiquary.


==Life==
==Life==
Born at [[Fenchurch Street]] in London, Thomson was the second son of a Scot, a partner in the firm of seed merchants Gordon, Thomson, Keen, & Co. For many years he worked on the antiquities of London. Heraldry was one of his hobbies, and in his early life he assisted investigations of family history.<ref name="DNB">{{cite DNB|wstitle=Thomson, Richard (1794-1865)|volume=56}}</ref>
Born at [[Fenchurch Street]] in London, England, Richard Thomson was the second son of a Scot who was a partner in the firm of seed merchants Gordon, Thomson, Keen & Co. For many years Thomson worked on the antiquities of London. Heraldry was one of his hobbies, and in his early life he assisted investigations of family history.<ref name="DNB">{{harvnb|Courtney|1898|p=267}}</ref>


On 14 August 1834, Thomson and [[Edward William Brayley]] were elected joint-librarians of the [[London Institution]] in [[Finsbury Circus]], in succession to [[William Maltby]]. Thomson held the post for the rest of his life.<ref name="DNB"/>
On 14 August 1834, Thomson and [[Edward William Brayley]] were elected joint-librarians of the [[London Institution]] in [[Finsbury Circus]], in succession to [[William Maltby]]. Thomson held the post for the rest of his life.<ref name="DNB"/>
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==Works==
==Works==
The catalogue of the London Institution library, issued in four volumes between 1835 and 1852, was compiled mostly by Thomson. He arranged, classified, and illustrated the antiquities found in the excavations for the new building of the [[Royal Exchange, London]]; they were then deposited in the museum of the London Corporation. Thomson contributed poems imitating major authors to ''A Garland for the New Royal Exchange'' (1845), edited by [[Sir William Tite]].<ref name="DNB"/>
The catalogue of the London Institution library, issued in four volumes between 1835 and 1852, was compiled mostly by Thomson. He arranged, classified, and illustrated the antiquities found in the excavations for the new building of the [[Royal Exchange, London]]; they were then deposited in the museum of the London Corporation. Thomson contributed poems imitating major authors to ''A Garland for the New Royal Exchange'' (1845), edited by [[Sir William Tite]].<ref name="DNB"/>


Thomson's books were:<ref name="DNB"/>
Thomson's books were:<ref name="DNB"/>


* ''Account of Processions and Ceremonies observed in the Coronation of the Kings and Queens of England, exemplified in that of George III and Queen Charlotte'', 1820.
* ''Account of Processions and Ceremonies observed in the Coronation of the Kings and Queens of England, exemplified in that of George III and Queen Charlotte'', 1820.
Line 22: Line 30:
* ''Illustrations of the History of Great Britain'', 1828, 2 vols. Vols. 20 and 21 of ''[[Constable's Miscellany]]''.
* ''Illustrations of the History of Great Britain'', 1828, 2 vols. Vols. 20 and 21 of ''[[Constable's Miscellany]]''.
* ''Tales of an Antiquary'' [anon.], 1828, 3 vols.; new edit. 1832, 3 vols. Dedicated to "the author of ''[[Waverley (novel)|Waverley]]''". The legend of ''Killcrop the Changeling'' was reproduced in William Philip Nimmo's ''Popular Tales'' vol. ii.
* ''Tales of an Antiquary'' [anon.], 1828, 3 vols.; new edit. 1832, 3 vols. Dedicated to "the author of ''[[Waverley (novel)|Waverley]]''". The legend of ''Killcrop the Changeling'' was reproduced in William Philip Nimmo's ''Popular Tales'' vol. ii.
* ''Historical Essay on Magna Charta'', 1829.
* ''An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John'', 1829.
* ‘Historical Notes for a Bibliographical Description of Mediæval illuminated Manuscripts of Hours, Offices,’ [anon.], 1858.
* ''Historical Notes for a Bibliographical Description of Mediæval illuminated Manuscripts of Hours, Offices'' [anon.], 1858.
* ''Lectures on Illuminated Manuscripts and the Materials and Practice of Illuminators'', 1858.
* ''Lectures on Illuminated Manuscripts and the Materials and Practice of Illuminators'', 1858.
* ''An Account of Cranmer's Catechism'', a memorial book for the friends of William Tite and Richard Thomson, 1862.
* ''An Account of Cranmer's Catechism'', a memorial book for the friends of William Tite and Richard Thomson, 1862.{{harvnb|Courtney|1898|p=267}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}


==References==
==References==
*{{DNB |first=William Prideaux |last=Courtney |authorlink=William Prideaux Courtney |wstitle=Thomson, Richard (1794-1865)|display=Thomson, Richard (1794-1865)|volume=56|pages=267–268}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
;Attribution
{{DNB|wstitle=Thomson, Richard (1794-1865)|volume=56}}
* {{Internet Archive author |search=(creator:"Thomson, Richard, 1794-1865")}}

{{Commons category}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2015}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomson, Richard}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomson, Richard}}
[[Category:1794 births]]
[[Category:1794 births]]
[[Category:1865 deaths]]
[[Category:1865 deaths]]

[[Category:English antiquarians]]
[[Category:English antiquarians]]
[[Category:English librarians]]
[[Category:English librarians]]
[[Category:English writers]]

Latest revision as of 16:12, 14 March 2022

The engraved and ordinary title pages of Thomson's book An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John (1829)

Richard Thomson (1794–1865) was an English librarian and antiquary.

Life

[edit]

Born at Fenchurch Street in London, England, Richard Thomson was the second son of a Scot who was a partner in the firm of seed merchants Gordon, Thomson, Keen & Co. For many years Thomson worked on the antiquities of London. Heraldry was one of his hobbies, and in his early life he assisted investigations of family history.[1]

On 14 August 1834, Thomson and Edward William Brayley were elected joint-librarians of the London Institution in Finsbury Circus, in succession to William Maltby. Thomson held the post for the rest of his life.[1]

Thomson died at his rooms in the Institution on 2 January 1865, aged 70. He was buried at Kensal Green cemetery, in the grave of a brother who had predeceased him.[1]

Legacy

[edit]

A monument was erected to his memory. He was unmarried and died wealthy. During his lifetime he had given the Institution anonymously many works, and by his will he left it £500.[1]

Works

[edit]

The catalogue of the London Institution library, issued in four volumes between 1835 and 1852, was compiled mostly by Thomson. He arranged, classified, and illustrated the antiquities found in the excavations for the new building of the Royal Exchange, London; they were then deposited in the museum of the London Corporation. Thomson contributed poems imitating major authors to A Garland for the New Royal Exchange (1845), edited by Sir William Tite.[1]

Thomson's books were:[1]

  • Account of Processions and Ceremonies observed in the Coronation of the Kings and Queens of England, exemplified in that of George III and Queen Charlotte, 1820.
  • The Book of Life: a Bibliographical Melody, 1820. Presented to the members of the Roxburghe Club.
  • The Complete Angler. By Izaak Walton. Published by John Major, 1823, editor.
  • Chronicles of London Bridge. By an Antiquary, 1827. 2nd ed. 1839.
  • Illustrations of the History of Great Britain, 1828, 2 vols. Vols. 20 and 21 of Constable's Miscellany.
  • Tales of an Antiquary [anon.], 1828, 3 vols.; new edit. 1832, 3 vols. Dedicated to "the author of Waverley". The legend of Killcrop the Changeling was reproduced in William Philip Nimmo's Popular Tales vol. ii.
  • An Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John, 1829.
  • Historical Notes for a Bibliographical Description of Mediæval illuminated Manuscripts of Hours, Offices [anon.], 1858.
  • Lectures on Illuminated Manuscripts and the Materials and Practice of Illuminators, 1858.
  • An Account of Cranmer's Catechism, a memorial book for the friends of William Tite and Richard Thomson, 1862.Courtney 1898, p. 267

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Courtney 1898, p. 267

References

[edit]
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Courtney, William Prideaux (1898). "Thomson, Richard (1794-1865)". In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 56. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 267–268.
[edit]
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