Rev. Thomas James (Puritan)

Rev. Thomas James (1573?-1629) was an English clergyman and scholar, noted for his involvement in the King James Version of the Bible. Born in Newport, Isle of Wight, he received his education at Christ Church, Oxford, where he later became a Fellow. He served as the first Bodley's Librarian, appointed by Sir Thomas Bodley in 1602, and held the position until his death.

James was a strong advocate for improving library access and promoting scholarship. He was also a vocal critic of the Roman Catholic Church, publishing numerous works denouncing its doctrines.

As a Hebraist and scholar, James was selected as one of the translators for the King James Version of the Bible, specifically working in the Oxford group assigned to translate the Gospels, Acts, and the Book of Revelation. His contributions to this monumental work solidified his place in religious and literary history. Beyond his translation work, he also aimed to produce a complete collation of biblical manuscripts, but this project was never fully realized during his lifetime.