Wright, Thomas

(1810-77)

   After showing early promise in the literary-antiquarian field, settling in London in 1836, he served as Secretary of both the Camden and Percy Societies, and for many years worked in collaboration with fellow antiquarian *Halliwell-Phillipps. Most of Wright's prodigious output was concerned with literary or topographical matters, but his interest in early poetry led him to publish collections of songs and ballads which the folklorist can still find useful, including: Songs and Carols from a Manuscript of the 15th Century in the British Museum (1856), Political Poems and Songs Relating to English History from Edward III to Richard III (1859-61), and Songs and Ballads with other Short Poems Chiefly of the Reign of Philip and Mary (1860). Other works of his with important folklore elements were: Narratives of Sorcery and Magic (1851), and Essays on Subjects Connected with Literature, Popular Superstitions and History of England in the Middle Ages (1846). Unfortunately, Wright does not have a very good reputation as far as accuracy of transcription is concerned. DNB; Dorson, 1968: 61-6.