George Thomson (MP for Southwark) facts for kids
George Thomson (born around 1607, died 1691) was an English businessman and a soldier who supported the Parliament during a time of big changes in England. He later became an important government official and politician.
Early Life and Military Service
George Thomson was born in Watton, Hertfordshire. His older brother, Maurice Thomson, was a key figure in setting up the Virginia colony in America. George himself was involved in Virginia by 1623. Later, he returned to London and became a merchant, trading goods with Virginia and the Caribbean. His youngest brother, Robert Thomson, also a merchant, spent some time in New England.
The Thomson family supported the Parliament, which was fighting against the King during the English Civil War. In 1643, George Thomson became a captain in a group of soldiers on horseback. The next year, he served under a famous general, Sir William Waller. During this time, he became a colonel, a high rank in the army. However, he was injured in battle and lost a leg. After this, he stopped his military career.
Political Career and Public Service
George Thomson was chosen to represent the area of Southwark in Parliament, probably in August 1645. Parliament is like today's government, where elected people make laws.
In February 1651, he was made a member of the English Council of State. This council was a powerful group that helped run the country. A few months later, in April, he became a commissioner of customs. This meant he was in charge of collecting taxes on goods coming into the country.
In 1652, he was sent to the navy fleet to talk with Admiral Robert Blake. His job was to report back to the Council about the navy's condition. In December 1652, he joined several important committees. These included committees for the navy, for weapons and military supplies, and for trade, colonies, and foreign affairs.
In April 1653, there were disagreements between Oliver Cromwell, a powerful leader, and the Parliament. Because of these problems, Parliament was closed down. In May, George Thomson lost his jobs as a commissioner and his other roles. After this, he focused on the ideas of a group called the Fifth-monarchy men, who had strong religious and political beliefs about how the country should be run.
Thomson returned to Parliament in May 1659 when it was brought back. He was again appointed to the Council of State. He also joined the committee for intelligence, which gathered information. In August, he was made a colonel of a new group of volunteer soldiers in London.
After the King returned to power in 1660, an event known as the Restoration, Thomson went into hiding at his brother Maurice's home. He was involved in secret activities against the new Royalist government. In October 1661, an order was issued for his arrest. After some time out of public view, George Thomson returned to public life around 1668. He was nominated to a commission that looked at government accounts.
Personal Life
George Thomson was married to Elizabeth, who was the daughter of James Brickland from Thorncliff in Cheshire.
Sources
Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Thomson, George (fl.1643-1668)". Dictionary of National Biography 56. (1898). Ed. Sidney Lee. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
