Thomas Adams

Thomas Adams (in or before 1566–1620) was an English publisher.

Biography Son of Thomas Adams, a yeoman of Neen Savage, Shropshire, he became an apprentice to Oliver Wilkes, a member of the Stationers' Company in London, on 29 September 1582; he was transferred to a new master, George Bishop, on 14 October 1583 (Bishop's will indicates that Adams was a "kinsman" ). Adams himself was admitted to the company on 15 October 1583. His business may have started when printer Robert Walley transferred ownership of a vast collection of books and ballads to Adams,

In 1603, he branched out to the music publishing business, financing or printing several works by John Dowland (including The Third and Last Booke of Songes or Aires in 1603 and Andreas Ornithoparcus his Micrologus in 1609), his son Robert Dowland (Varietie of Lute-Lessons and A Musicall Banquet both in 1610), and Thomas Ravenscroft. He ascended to the title of upper warden at the Stationers' Company in 1616. His will was drafted on 2 March and executed on 4 May, naming as heirs or legatees his wife and three daughters, Elizabeth, Ann, and Mary, along with a brother George Adams. His wife Elizabeth continued printing works until 1625, when she sold the rights to Adams' former apprentice, Andrew Hebb.