Thomas Walsh

Thomas Walsh (3 October 1777 –18 February 1849) was an English Catholic prelate who served as Vicar Apostolic of the London District from 1848 until his death.

Life Thomas Walsh was born in London on 3 October 1777, the son of Charles and Mary Brittle Walsh. He attended St Albans Grammar School in Hertfordshire. Through his uncle, a priest of the London District, he obtained admission to the College of St. Omer. In 1793, the French Revolution and the United Kingdom's declaration of war on France ended the Saint Omer college. The English faculty and students were imprisoned at Dourlens. In 1795, Gregory Stapleton, President of the college, obtained from the directory an order for the release of the sixty-four students. They were conveyed to England in an American vessel, and landed at Dover on 2 March 1795. Walsh continued his studies at Old Hall Green.

Stapleton was appointed vicar apostolic of the Midland district on 29 May 1800, and took up residence at Longbirch, near Wolverhampton. He brought Walsh, then a deacon, to serve as secretary. Walsh was ordained priest on 19 September 1801, and continued under Stapleton's successor, Bishop John Milner, as chaplain and missioner at Longbirch until October, 1804, when he was sent to Sedgley Park School as chaplain. In 1808 he went to St Mary's College, Oscott as vice-president and later he served as president from 1818 to 1826.

Bishop Walsh Catholic School in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham is named after him.