Thomas West

Thomas West may refer to:

Thomas West (clergyman)

Thomas West (1720 – 10 July 1779) was a Jesuit priest, antiquary and author, significant in being one of the first to write about the attractions of the Lake District. Partly through his book, A Guide to the Lakes, the Romantic vision of the scenery and wilderness of the north of England took hold, ushering in a period of continued tourism in the Lakes.

Life

West was born in Scotland in 1720, and was ordained a Catholic priest. He visited Europe, and received at least some of his education there, specialising in various branches of natural philosophy. He returned to Britain in his later life, moving to Furness in 1774 and residing at the seventeenth century Tytup Hall. West dedicated his remaining years to learning and writing about the area's landscape and history, publishing The Antiquities of Furness in 1774. He then embarked on his magnum opus, his Guide to the Lakes.

A Guide to the Lakes

West had travelled widely throughout continental Europe, and after accompanying various parties visiting the lakes, decided to write a detailed account of the scenery and landscape. Fellow Lakes resident William Brownrigg may have been a contributing factor in this decision. West set out to create a guide that would be of particular use to artists, writing in his introduction that he aimed

Thomas West (MP died 1622)

Sir Thomas West (died 1622) was an English politician.

He was a younger son of Sir George West of Warbleton, Sussex.

He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Chichester in 1571, in Mitchell in 1572 and for Hampshire in 1589.

He served as a Justice of the Peace for Hampshire from c.1573 and was appointed High Sheriff of Hampshire for 1585–86. He was knighted in 1591.

On his death he was buried in Eling church. He had married a daughter and coheiress of Mr Hotofts of Hampshire and had one daughter.

References