OWEN (Thomas), a judge of the common-pleas, was the son of Richard Owen, Esq; of Condover in Shropshire, and educated at Oxford; whether in Christ-church college, or Broadgate hall, is not determined. Having taken a degree in arts, he left the university, and entered himself of Lincoln's inn in London, where in process of time he became an eminent counsellor. In 1583 he was elected Lent-reader to that society. In 1590 he was made serjeant at law, and queen's serjeant soon after. He arrived at length at the dignity of judge of the common-pleas; which office he is said to have executed, during five years, with great abilities and integrity. He died in 1598; and was buried on the south side of the choir in Westminster abbey, where a monument was erected to his memory. He had the reputation of a learned man, and a patron of literature.
He was the author of "Reports in the common pleas, wherein are many choice cases, most of them thoroughly argued by the learned serjeants, and after argued and resolved by the grave judges of those times, with many cases wherein the difference of the year-books are reconciled and explained." Lond. 1656, fol.