Thomas Warton (1728–1790) was a poet and historian. He was educated at home and then sent to Trinity College, Oxford, where he later became a fellow. Although best known for his works of history and literary criticism, he also wrote poetry which was much admired by some contemporaries, including Sir Joshua Reynolds. At the painter's recommendation, Warton was made poet laureate in 1785. This is a copy of the first edition of his well-known 'History of English poetry'.