THOMAS, an English historical writer, was the son of a clergyman, and was born at Clifton in Warwickshire in 1686. He took orders in 1713, but on the accession of George I refused to take the oaths to government, and laid aside his clerical habit. From his open attachment to the house of Stuart he became obnoxious to government; and a reward of L1,000 having been offered for his apprehension, he fled to France, where he prepared an English translation of the works of De Thou. About 1703 he obtained permission to return to England, and began to write The History of the Life of James, Duke of Oranmde, from his birth in 1610, to his death in 1688. In 1744, when preparing to publish his History of England, he again fell under the suspicion of the government and was committed to prison, but was soon released. The last volume of his history did not appear till after his death, which took place in 1754.