Thomlinson

ROBERT THOMLINSON (1668 - 1748)

Born at Wigton in Cumberland, Thomlinson was educated at Oxford, and in 1695 was appointed lecturer of St Nicholas in Newcastle. In 1712, he became rector of Whickham and in 1715, Master of St Mary's hospital in Newcastle.

Thomlinson was a benefactor in Wigton and St Edmund's Hall at Oxford and in 1734 he gave 1600 books to form the nucleus of a public library in Newcastle. A building was provided and the library opened in 1741. The librarian's salary was secured by an endowment from Sir Walter Blackett, and some 4870 volumes were handed over to the library committee of the Newcastle corporation in 1884. Thomlinson died in Whickham and there is a fine monument on the north side of the church chancel.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
ROBERT THOMLINSON (1668 - 1748) Born at Wigton in Cumberland, Thomlinson was educated at Oxford, and in 1695 was appointed lecturer of St Nicholas in Newcastle. In 1712, he became rector of Whickham and in 1715, Master of St Mary's hospital in Newcastle. Thomlinson was a benefactor in Wigton and St Edmund's Hall at Oxford and in 1734 he gave 1600 books to form the nucleus of a public library in Newcastle. A building was provided and the library opened in 1741. The librarian's salary was secured by an endowment from Sir Walter Blackett, and some 4870 volumes were handed over to the library committee of the Newcastle corporation in 1884. Thomlinson died in Whickham and there is a fine monument on the north side of the church chancel.
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