CHALONER, Sir Thomas, the younger, though inconsiderable as an author, deserves to be recorded as a skilful naturalist, and particularly as the founder of the alum works in Yorkshire, which have since proved so highly advantageous to the commerce of this kingdom. He was the only son of the preceding, and was born in the year 1559. Being very young at the time of his father's death, the lord treasurer Burghley took charge of his education, and sent him ultimately to Oxford, where, like his father, he discovered
considerable talents for Latin and English poetry. About the year 1580 he made the tour of Europe, and returned to England before 1584, when he became a frequent attendant at the court of Queen Elizabeth. In 1591 he was knighted; and, some time afterwards, discovered the alum mines on his estate at Gisborough, near the river Tees, in Yorkshire.
Towards the latter end of the queen's reign, Sir Thomas visited Scotland; and rose so high in the estimation of James I. that he was appointed governor to Prince Henry, whom he constantly attended; and when his royal pupil visited Oxford, he was honoured with the degree of master of arts. How he was employed after the death of the prince is not known. He died in the year 1615, and was buried at Chiswick in Middlesex. His eldest son William was created a baronet in the year 1640; but the title became extinct in 1681.
He wrote, Dedication to Lord Burghley, of his father's poetical works, 1579; The Virtue of Nitre, 4to, Lond. 1584.