Maude, Thomas

(1718-1798)

   He was born in Downing Street, Westminster, London, though from an ancient Yorkshire family. In 1755, he was appointed surgeon on board the Barfleur, commanded by Lord Harry Powlett. The admiral was court-martialed for breaking from the fleet and returning to port, on the advice of his carpenter who reported a loose stern-post, which proved to be exaggerated. Maude spoke on his defense and was later rewarded when Pawlett succeeded as sixth and last Duke of Bolton. From 1765 until the duke died in 1794, Maude was steward of the duke's Yorkshire estates. He retired to Burley Hall, near Otley, West Yorkshire, where he died and was buried in Wensley churchyard, North Yorkshire. Although a minor poet, his poems are highly descriptive of the Yorkshire dales. Francis Grose (see entry), in his description of Aysgarth Bridge, North Yorkshire, quotes from Maude's poem Verbia. His only recorded poetry publications: Wensleydale, or Rural Contemplations, 1772. Verbeia, or Wharfedale, 1782. Viator, a Journey from London to Scarborough by way of York, a Poem, with notes historical and topographical, 1782. The Invitation, or Urbanity, 1791.

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Gentleman's Magazine (http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ilej/journals/srchgm.htm).