Thomas Wilson (lexicographer)

Thomas Wilson (1524 – 1581) was an English diplomat, judge, and scholar, best known today for his influential works on rhetoric and logic. He is considered a significant figure in the development of the English language and the promotion of its use in formal and public settings.

Wilson was born in Lincolnshire and educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. He traveled extensively on the continent, studying law in France and Italy. During the reign of Mary I, he was imprisoned for his Protestant beliefs.

Upon Elizabeth I's accession to the throne, Wilson's fortunes improved considerably. He served as a member of Parliament, held several diplomatic posts, including ambassador to Portugal and the Netherlands, and became a Master of Requests. He was appointed a Secretary of State in 1577 and a judge of the Court of Admiralty in 1580.

Wilson's most important works are The Arte of Rhetorique, for the use of all suche as are studious of Eloquence, sette forthe in English (1553) and The Rule of Reason, conteining the Arte of Logike sette forth in English (1551). The Arte of Rhetorique was particularly influential. It advocated for the use of plain English and condemned the use of "inkhorn terms" (ostentatious, newly-coined words of foreign origin) in writing and speech. Wilson emphasized clarity and directness in communication, arguing that rhetoric should be used to persuade effectively. The Rule of Reason was one of the first textbooks on logic published in English. These works helped to establish English as a language suitable for intellectual discourse and public affairs, contributing significantly to the development of a national identity.

Wilson died in 1581 and was buried in St Katharine Cree Church, London. His works continued to be reprinted and influential for many years after his death, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the English Renaissance.