Thomas Atkinson

Thomas Atkinson (born about 1546, died 11 March 1616) was an English Roman Catholic priest. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified in 1987.

Life He was born in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was ordained priest at Reims, and returned to England in 1588.

He was well known, especially for visiting poor Catholics, and eventually he could not safely travel by day. He always travelled by foot until, having broken his leg, he had to ride a horse. At the age of 70 he was betrayed and taken to York with his host, Mr. Vavasour of Willitoft, and some members of the family.

A pair of beads and the form of an indulgence were found upon him, and he was condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. According to the historian Charles Dodd he was executed in York in 1610, in the reign of James I. The Catholic Encyclopedia thinks that it was probable that Dodd had confused him with Thomas Atkinson, the subject of this article, although there was a Marian priest called Nicholas, or "Ninny", Atkinson.