Thomas Salmon

Thomas Salmon (1679–1767) was an English historical and geographical writer.

Life

Salmon, who was born at Meppershall in Bedfordshire, and baptised there on 2 February 1679, was the son of Thomas Salmon, by his wife Katherine, daughter of John Bradshaw; Nathanael Salmon was his elder brother. William Cole wrote that he wrote much of his work in Cambridge, where he ran a coffee house, and then moved to London. He told Cole that he had spent time at sea, and in both the East and West Indies for some time. He also travelled in Europe.

In 1739–40 Salmon accompanied George Anson on his voyage round the world. He died on 20 January 1767. This identification of Salmon as original editor is now accepted. He was working for the printer John Darby the younger (died 1733) from about 1716, on materials Darby provided. His initial shaping of the collection persisted across numerous later editions. A Complete Collection of State Trials, vol I: 1388–1648 (1730) A Complete Collection of State Trials, vol V: 1696–1709 (1730) A Complete Collection of State Trials, vol VII (supplement): 1549–1688 (1735)