THOMAS (1686-1740).-Poet, _b._ at Bridekirk Vicarage, Cumberland, and _ed._ at Oxf. became the friend of Joseph Addison (_q.v._), contributed to the _Spectator_ and _Guardian_, and accompanied him when he went to Ireland as sec. to the Lord Lieutenant. His translation of the first book of the _Iliad_ came out at the same time as Pope's, an