William Moy Thomas papers

Collection

Identifier: D.3

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

William Moy Thomas was born on January 3, 1828 in Hackney, Middlesex to Harriet Theresa Thomas and Moy Thomas (1787-1844), a solicitor and vestry clerk at St. Mary Woolnoth church in London. Thomas was a novelist and journalist who contributed to Household Words, 1851-1858, after being introduced to Charles Dickens by Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd. Additionally, Thomas was a drama critic for the Daily News and was the first editor of Cassell's Magazine. He published novels and tales as well as re-edited the Letters and Works of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, in 1861. He was also the private secretary to Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, the radical politician and proprietor of the Atheneum and Notes and Queries. On September 27, 1846, Thomas married the daughter of Commander Francis Higginson, Sara Maria Higginson (1828-1918), with whom Thomas had seven children, including Frederick Moy Thomas and Amy Thomas, a French scholar. Thomas died after a long illness, on July 21, 1910.

Scope and Contents

The William Moy Thomas Papers are comprised of one box containing letters written to Moy Thomas concerning drama, the copyright laws, and frequently contain requests for favors from him in his position as theatre critic. The greatest concentration of letters falls in the years between 1880-1893.

Creator

Thomas, W. Moy (William Moy), 1828-1910 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1856-1903

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 box(es)

Access

The William Moy Thomas Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], William Moy Thomas Papers, D.3, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester