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* THOMPSON. 242 THOMSON. the Xational House of Representatives as a Yhig, and in 1840 was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs. In 1842-44 he was Jlinister to Mexico, and secured tlie release of 200 Texan prisoners. He published Recollections of Mexico (1848). THOMPSON, William (1725-81). An Ameri- can soldier. He was born in Ireland, emigrated to Pennsylvania, served (1759-UO) as captain of militia in the French and Indian War, and in June, 1775, was placed in command of eight Pennsylvania companies, with the rank of col- onel. In January, 1770, he took the same rank in the regular Continental Army, and on March 1st became brigadier-general. On March 19th he relieved General Charles Lee at New York, and in April led fourteen regiments to Canada to re- inforce General John Thomas, assuming chief command during Thomas's illness and holding it until the arrival (June 4th) of General Sulli- van. He led the Americans in the unsuccessful attack on the English at Three Rivers (.Tune 6th), and was taken prisoner. Though imme- diately paroled, he was not exchanged until Oc- tober 25, 1780. THOMPSON, WiLLi.oi Tappam (1812-82). An American journalist and humorist, born at Ravenna, Ohio. He removed to Philadelphia, subsequently to Florida, and thence, in 1835. to Augusta, Ga., where he was attached to the staff of several literary weekly papers and to the iliscellaiii/, of Madison, Ga., he began to contrilmte the "Major Jones Letters," upon which his fame as a humorist rests. They were published in book form as Major ■fottes's Court- ship (1840). In 1850 he established at Savan- nah the Morning Xeirs, which he continued to edit during the remainder of his life. In the Civil War he served in the Confederate Army as a private and on the staff of General J. E. Brown. He published Major Jones's Chronicles of Pinerille (1843) and Major Jones's Sketches of Travel (1848). THOMPSON, Wordsworth (1840-06). An American genre and historical painter. He was born in Baltimore, Marj'land, and studied at Paris under Gleyre and Pasini. In 1868 he opened a studio in New York City, and was made a member of the National Academy in 1875. and of the Society of American Artists two years later. He is best known as a painter of Amer- ican historical subjects. Among his paintings are the "Review at Annapolis, Maryland. 1770" (BufTalo Academy); "Passing the Outpost" (Union League Club, New York) ; a "New Eng- land Homestead," which won a gold medal at the Paris exhibition, 1889; and his last and best work, "Old Bruton Church, Virginia, in the time of Lord Dunmore" (Metropolitan Museum). THOMS, tomz, William .John (1803-85). An English antiquary, born in London. For several years, up to 1845^ he was a clerk at Chelsea Hospital, and then was appointed clerk of the House of Lords; and from 1863 to 1882 he was its deputy librarian. In recognition of his scholarship he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (1838) and secretary of the Camden Society (1838-73). Thoms is most widely known as the founder of Notes and Queries. Thoms published a large number of books of great value to the student and to the curious. Among them are Earhj Prose Romance (1827-28: revised by another hand, 1858); Lays and Legends of Various Nations (1834); Anecdotes and Traditions Illustrative of Early English History and JAierature (Camden Socjety, 1839) : Hannah Lighlfoot (1867) ; the Death of Chiirlcs I. (1872) ; and Human Longevity (187S). Consult Thonis's reminiscences under the title, "Gossip of an Old Bookworm" {Nineteenth Cen- tury. London, July and December, 1881). THOMSON, toN'sto', CfisAR (18.57—). A Belgian violinist, born at Li^ge. He made successful tours through Spain and Italy and became a member of Bilse's orchestra at Ber- lin, lie gave instruction on the violin at the Li&ge Conservatory from 1883 to 1897. In 1894 and 1895 he made trips to the United States, and became Y'saye's successor as professor of violin- playing at the Brussels Conservatory in 1898. He is noted for his double-stop technique and for his clean-cut bowing. THOMSON, tom'son, Charle.s (1729-1824). An American patriot. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, and in 1740 was brought to New Castle, Del. He was educated at New London, Pa., and when very young assmned charge of the Friends' Academy at New Castle. He took an active interest in all the controversies be- tween the colonies and the British Ministry, and, removing to Philadelphia in 1774, was chosen secretary of the Continental Congress, in which capacity he served vmtil 1789, keeping a careful record of all the proceedings and making copious notes of the debates. .John Adams (in his diary for September 30, 1774) speaks of him as "the Sara Adams of Philadelphia, the life of the cause of liberty." In 1789 he was delegated to announce to Washington, at Mount Vernon, his election to the Presidency. He published An En- (/uiry into the Causes of the Alienation of the Drlau-arc and Shawancse Indian.t (1759); an able translation of the Bible, containing the first English version of the Septuagint (4 vols., 1808) ; and a Synopsis of the Four Evangelists ( 1815) . He also prepared a history of the Revo- lution, which, however, he destroyed in manu- script. Consult Harley. The Life of Charles Thomson (Philadelphia.' 1900). THOMSON, Charles Edward Poulett, Baron Sydenham (1799-1841). A British Governor- General of Canada, born at Wimbledon, Surrey. He was chosen a member of Parliament from Dover in 1826, and attracted attention by his discussion of economic questions. He was ap- pointed Governor-General of Canada in 1839. and effected tlie union of the provinces in spite of the conflicting interests and jealousies. The adoption of the Constitution, February 10, 1841, led to the confederation of 1867. In recognition of his ser- vices Thomson was raised to the peerage as Baron Sydenham of Kent and Toronto, August 19, 1840, and was created Knight of the Grand Cross of the Bath. While preparing to return to England he was fatally injured by being thrown from his horse. THOMSON,. Sir Charles Wyville (1830- 82 ). A British naturalist, born in Scotland as Wyville Thomas Charles, which name was changed when he was knighted. He was edu- cated in medicine, but turned his attention to botany, and afterwards to a broader considera-