Richard Thomson (theologian) facts for kids
Richard Thomson, sometimes spelled Thompson, was a smart scholar and translator. He was born in Holland but was English. He is famous for helping to translate the first 12 books of the King James Version of the Bible. This was a very important Bible translation for the English-speaking world. He was also a professor at Clare Hall, Cambridge.
Who Was Richard Thomson?
Richard Thomson was often called "Dutch Thomson." He was born in Holland, but his parents were English. He went to school at Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He earned his first degree in 1587 and became a fellow there. He got his master's degree in 1591.
A religious leader named Bishop Lancelot Andrewes gave him a job as a rector in Snailwell, Cambridgeshire.
Translating the King James Bible
Richard Thomson was chosen to be one of the translators for the King James Bible. He was part of the team that translated the Old Testament. Their job was to translate the books from Genesis all the way to the second book of Kings. This was a huge and important project.
A writer named Thomas Farnaby said that Thomson lived with Sir Robert Killigrew for some time. Farnaby also noted that Thomson was very good at understanding the writings of an ancient Roman poet named Martial.
Richard Thomson was known as a great language expert. People said he was more famous in countries like Italy, France, and Germany than in England. He was buried in Cambridge on January 8, 1613.
What Did Richard Thomson Write?
Richard Thomson also wrote some books. These books were mainly about religious ideas and arguments of his time.
- Elenchus Refutationis Pro … Episcopo Eliense adversus Martinum Becanum Jesuitam, authore Richardo Thomsonio Cantabrigiensi (London, 1611). This book was dedicated to Sir Thomas Jermyn. It was written to argue against another scholar named Martinus Becanus.
- Diatriba de Amissione et Intercisione Gratiæ et Justificationis (Leyden, 1616 and 1618). This book discussed ideas about grace and justification in religion. Another scholar, Robert Abbot, later wrote a short comment on this work in 1618.
