Gibbons Thomas, Dd

Gibbons Thomas, D.D., a pious and eminent English dissenter, was born at Reak, near Cambridge, May 31, 1720. His father, who was pastor of a Congregational church at Olney, in Bucks, gave him the best education his circumstances would permit. In 1742 he became acquainted with Dr. Isaac Watts; and by' showing him a volume of poems in manuscript, an intimate friendship was formed between them, which continued unabated to the close of Dr. Watts's life. In 1743 Dr. Gibbons was called to the pastoral charge of the Independent church meeting in Haberdashers' hall, Cheapside, which he held till his death, February 22, 1785. He wrote Memoirs of Dr. Watts (1780, 8vo): Poems, on several Occasions (1743): — Rhetoric; or, a View of its principal Tropes and Figures, in their Origin and Powers (1767, 8vo): — Hymns (1769): — Hymns, second series, entirely original (1784): — Lives and Memoirs of eminently pious Women (1777, 2 volumes, 8vo). After Dr. Gibbons's death, three volumes of sermons by him were published in 8vo by subscription. Some of his hymns are still used, and will continue to hold their place in Christian song. — Jones, Christian Biography, page 177; Darling, Cyclop. Bibliograph. 1:1244.