Thomas Pearce (priest) facts for kids

Thomas Pearce (1820–1885) was an English clergyman. He was also a well-known writer about dogs. He used the pen name "Idstone" for his books and articles.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Pearce was born in 1820 in Hatford, England. His father, Francis Joseph Pearce, was also a clergyman. Sadly, his father died when Thomas was only two years old. After this, Thomas moved to Leicestershire with his mother, Mary Ann Rickards.

Later, Thomas went to Lincoln College, Oxford in 1838. His older brother, Francis Joseph, also studied at Exeter College around the same time. Thomas finished his first degree in 1843 and a master's degree in 1849.

Becoming a Clergyman

In 1845, Thomas Pearce became a priest in the Church of England. He worked in several churches in southern England. He served in places like Goldenhill in 1845, Highcliffe in 1847, and Waterperry in 1851. In 1852, he was in Sparsholt.

In 1853, Pearce became the vicar of Morden, Dorset. A vicar is a type of priest who leads a church. He also became the rector of Charborough in 1871. Thomas Pearce passed away on September 24, 1885.

Hobbies and Interests

Thomas Pearce had many interesting hobbies. He loved breeding champion setter dogs. He also enjoyed shooting snipe, which are small birds. Another one of his passions was collecting different kinds of birds.

Writing About Dogs

Thomas Pearce started writing articles for The Field magazine in 1865. This magazine was popular for people interested in country sports and animals. He became famous for his writings about dogs.

Published Works

His main books about dogs include:

• The Dog: with directions for his treatment (published in 1872)
• The Idstone Papers (published in 1872)

A larger book called The Dogs of the British Islands (1866) used a lot of his work.

The Name "Idstone"

Thomas Pearce used the name "Idstone" as his pen name. A pen name is a fake name a writer uses. The name "Idstone" comes from a small village in Oxfordshire. This village was near properties owned by the Pearce family. He was known as "Idstone" among other writers who wrote about sports.

Pearce's Family Life

Thomas Pearce married Fanny Georgina Blake on July 14, 1852. Her father, Charles Henry Blake, was a property investor in London. Thomas and Fanny had three sons and one daughter.

• Frank Charles (born 1853) worked with another famous writer, John Henry Walsh, at The Field magazine. He was chosen to edit the first Kennel Club Stud Book in 1874. This book lists purebred dogs.
• Evelyn Thomas (around 1855–1894) worked as a planter in India, first with indigo and then with tea.
• Ethel Katharine (1856–1940) was a journalist. She was also an expert on flies found in the Dorset heathland. She wrote a series of books called Typical Flies in the 1920s, which included her own photographs.
• Nigel Douglas Frith (1862–1939).