WM itinerant, born at Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. He first heard Methodist preaching while on a visit to Dublin, where he was converted. Despite suffering for many years from stomach pains attributed to sleeping in a damp bed, he was stationed for over 40 years throughout the British Isles. An articulate and inspiring evangelist and preacher, during the last decade of John Wesley's life he became a trusted member of his entourage and was one of the preachers appointd to the Legal Hundred in 1784. In 1791 he moved quickly, calling a meeting of nine senior preachers to discuss the future governance of Methodism. Their Halifax Circular was adopted by the ensuing Conference, which also elected Thompson as President, preferring a relatively unknown and unordained moderate to more prominent connexional figures such as Thomas Coke or Alexander Mather. In 1796 he had a major hand in preparing the Plan of Pacification.

Charles Atmore described him as 'a man of remarkably strong sense, a fertile genius, a clear understanding, a quick discernment, a retentive memory, and a sound judgment - one of the closest reasoners and most able speakers that ever sat in the Methodist Conference'. This self-styled 'man of peace' was criticized by radicals like Alexander Kilham as a 'Church bigot' and a Pittite. He found himself increasingly isolated as the itinerants closed ranks on the centre ground in the face of the common threat posed by the Kilhamites. He died on 1 May 1799.

Entry written by: JAH
Category: Person
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