Author: Best, Thomas
Biography:
BEST, Thomas (fl 1789-1822)
His is a common name and no records that reliably can be linked to this author have been found. Matilda is dedicated to George Fulke Lyttelton, born in Jamaica in 1763, and Canto One implies that they were at school together. If so, Thomas Best may have been the son of Nicholas and Mary Best, born on 26 June 1763 and baptised at St. James’s, Piccadilly, on 5 July. Matilda was not well-received critically but he found success with The Art of Angling which went through numerous editions between 1787 and 1838. Advertisements for the book in 1787 describe Best as “late of His Majesty’s Drawing Room in the Tower.” The Preface to the 1804 edition is dated from Tottenham Hale, London. Best seems to have been still alive when the 1822 edition was issued. (ancestry.co.uk 26 May 2023)
Other Names:
- Mr. Best