Frederick William Thomas (writer)

Frederick William Thomas (1803 – 1866) was an American novelist, poet, lawyer, and government official. He is primarily remembered as a popular and prolific author of frontier romances and novels of manners during the antebellum period.

Thomas was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but his family moved to Charleston, South Carolina, when he was young. He practiced law in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later in St. Louis, Missouri. He held various political positions, including serving as clerk in the U.S. Treasury Department under President John Tyler.

His best-known works include:

• Clinton Bradshaw; or, The Adventures of a Lawyer (1835) - A novel focusing on a lawyer's experiences in the American West.
• East and West: A Novel (1836) - Explores the cultural differences between the East Coast and the Western frontier.
• Howard Pinckney (1840) - A social satire focusing on the lives of wealthy Southern planters.
• The Beechen Tree (1844) - A collection of poetry.

Thomas's writing often reflected the social and political issues of his time, including discussions of slavery, class distinctions, and the expansion of the American frontier. Although not considered a literary giant, his works provide valuable insight into the popular culture and literary tastes of the 19th century. He enjoyed considerable popularity in his lifetime, contributing to the growth of American literature and its distinct voice.

He died in Washington, D.C., in 1866.