Thomas Bilson

Thomas Bilson, an English divine and author, born in Winchester in 1536, died in Westminster, June 18, 1616. In 1596 he was consecrated bishop of Worcester, and the following year became bishop of Winchester, and was sworn of the privy council. He published "The true Difference between Christian Subjection and Unchristian Rebellion " (4to, Oxford, 1585), a vindication of the supremacy of Queen Elizabeth and her policy in the Low Countries; "The Perpetual Government of Christ's Church " (4to, London, 1593; new ed., Oxford, 1842), an argument for episcopacy; and other works.

Thomas Birch

Thomas Birch, D. D., an English historical and biographical writer, born in London, Nov. 23, 1705, died by falling from his horse, Jan. 9, 1766. He was of Quaker parentage, entered the priesthood of the church of England without a university education, and became secretary of the royal society. "Thurlow's State Papers," "Lives of Archbishop Tillotson and Hon. Robert Boyle," editions of Milton's prose works and of the works of Raleigh, "A General Dictionary, Historical and Critical," and "A Series of Biographical Memoirs," are among his publications.

Thomas Blacklock

Thomas Blacklock, D. D., a Scottish clergyman, born at Annan, Nov. 10, 1721, died in Edinburgh, July 7, 1791. He became blind at the age of six months. His father, who was a mechanic, used to read to him from the best English authors. He early acquired a knowledge of Latin, and at 12 produced creditable verses. Through the assistance of Dr. Stevenson of Edinburgh he was enabled to pursue a course of study at the university, and became proficient in the classical and modern languages and music. A quarto edition of his poems was published in 1756, in London, by subscription. In 1759 he was licensed as a minister of the gospel. He married in 1762, and was ordained minister of Kirkcudbright; but in 1764 he resigned, and retired to Edinburgh on a small pension, which he eked out by instructing a few young men. He wrote several philosophical and theological works.

Thomas Blount

Thomas Blount, an English writer, born at Bardesley, Worcestershire, in 1618, died at Orleton, Dec. 26, 1679. He published "The English Academy of Eloquence" (1654); a "Dictionary of Hard Words" (1656); "Lamps of the Law, and Lights of the Gospel" (1658); "Boscobel," a history of Charles H.'s escape after the battle of Worcester (1660; part 2, 1681); a "Law Dictionary" (1671); "A World of Errors Discovered in the New World of Words" (1673); and some works of less importance. He was a zealous Roman Catholic, and wrote a Catholic almanac and a catalogue of the Catholics who lost their lives in the king's cause. The popish plot and the anxiety occasioned by the excitement of the time are believed to have broken his health and caused his death.

Thomas Boston

Thomas Boston, a Scottish Presbyterian clergyman, born at Dunsein March, 1676, died at Ettrick, May 20, 1732. He was educated at Edinburgh university, and ordained minister of Simprin in 1699, whence he was transferred to Ettrick in 1707. He was a member of the general assembly and an uncompromising champion of the independence of the Scottish church. His works, which are strongly Oalvinistic, were first published collectively in 1852 in 12 volumes. The best known are the "Fourfold State," the " Crook in the Lot," and a "Body of Divinity," which is esteemed of high authority in the Presbyterian church. He also left "Memoirs of his own Life and Times".