Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 56.djvu/188

 that most military adventurers have been guilty of' (Rohtak Gazetteer).

There is a portrait of 'General George Thomas', apparently by a native artist, in his 'Memoirs', by Capt. William Francklin [q. v.]

 THOMAS, GEORGE HOUSMAN (1824–1868), painter, was born in London on 17 Dec. 1824. After serving his apprenticeship to the wood-engraver George Bonner in London, he began his professional career in Paris, first as an engraver, afterwards as a draughtsman on the wood. In 1846 he went to the United States to illustrate a New York paper, and remained there about two years. During this time he obtained a commission from the government of the United States to design bank-notes. His health compelled him to return to Europe, and he went to Italy. He was present, at the siege of Rome by the French in 1849, and sent many sketches of the siege to the 'Illustrated London News'. After spending two years in Italy he returned to England. About 1850 he produced a remarkable set of woodcuts for 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. He also illustrated very many other books, including Longfellow's 'Hiawatha', Foxe's 'Book of Martyrs', and Trollope's 'Last Chronicle of Barset'. He exhibited his first picture, 'St. Anthony's Day at Rome', at the British Institution in 1851; 'Garibaldi at Rome,' painted from sketches made in 1849, was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1854, and attracted much attention. His next picture was 'Ball at the Camp, Boulogne,' 1856. He obtained the patronage of Queen Victoria, and painted the following pictures by her majesty's command: 'Distribution of Crimean Medals, 18 May 1855,' 1858; 'Review in the Champ de Mars in Honour of Queen Victoria,' 1859: 'Parade at Potsdam, 17 Aug. 1858,' 1860; 'Marriage of the Prince of Wales,' 'Homage of the Princess Royal at the Coronation of the King of Prussia,' and Marriage of the Princess Alice,' 1863; 'The Queen and Prince Consort at Aldershot, 1859,' 1866; 'The Children of Princess Alice, 1866; 'The Queen investing the Sultan with the Order of the Garter,' 1868, painted from a sketch by Princess Louise. All these were exhibited at the Royal Academy in the years named. Of his other exhibits, which were either military or domestic subjects, 'Rotten Row' (1862) was the most remarkable. His paintings were bright and animated and gained him considerable popularity, but had none of the higher qualities of art. Thomas resided at Kingston and Surbiton till illness caused his removal to Boulogne, where he died on 21 July 1868. A collection of his works was exhibited in Bond Street in June 1869, and his sketches and studies were sold at Christie's in July 1872.

 THOMAS, HONORATUS LEIGH (1769–1846), surgeon, the son of John Thomas of Hawarden, Flint, by his wife Maria, sister of John Boydell [q. v.], was born on 26 March 1769. On coming to London as a very young man, he presented a letter of introduction to John Hunter, the great surgeon. Hunter at once made an appointment with Thomas for five o'clock the following morning, and on his presenting himself at that hour he found Hunter busily engaged dissecting insects. He was appointed dresser to Hunter at St. George's Hospital and a pupil of William Cumberland Cruikshank [q. v.], the anatomist. He obtained the diploma of the Corporation of Surgeons on 16 Oct. 1794, was an original member of the College of Surgeons, and was elected to the fellowship on its foundation in 1843. Thomas's early professional work was in the army and navy. He passed as 1st mate, 3rd rate (navy), on 5 July 1792, and, on the recommendation of Hunter, was appointed assistant surgeon to Lord Macartney's embassy to China in the same year [see ]. In 1799 he volunteered for medical service with the Duke of York's army in Holland. On the capitulation of the forces to the French enemy Thomas wished to remain with the wounded, who could not be moved. He was told that he could only stay as a prisoner, and he decided to remain in that capacity. As soon, however, as his services could be dispensed with he was allowed to return home.

Thomas married the elder daughter of Cruikshank, and in 1800 succeeded to his father-in-law's practice in Leicester Place, where he resided for nearly half a century. Notwithstanding his position at the College of Surgeons, Thomas seems rather to have avoided surgery, and was generally called in for consultation in medical cases. In this branch of his profession he was very successful.

At the College of Surgeons Thomas was a member of the court of assistants from 1818 to 1845, examiner from 1818 to 1845, vicepresident in 1827, 1828, 1836, and 1837, and president in 1829 and 1838. In 1827 he