Reverend Thomas Carte, born around 1686, was an English historian renowned for his detailed works and Jacobite sympathies. As a clergyman of the Church of England, Carte's life was interwoven with his scholarly pursuits and political inclinations. His early education at University College, Oxford, and subsequent M.A. from King's College, Cambridge, laid the foundation for his historical inquiries. Carte's most notable controversy arose from a sermon in 1714 defending King Charles I against accusations related to the Irish Rebellion of 1641, which highlighted his staunch Stuart support and led to his refusal to take the Oath of Allegiance. This act of defiance resulted in his association with Francis Atterbury and an accusation of high treason, forcing him to flee to France under the alias Philips.

In exile, Carte continued his scholarly work, collecting materials for a London edition of Jacques Auguste de Thou's "Historium sui temporis." His return to England in 1728, facilitated by Queen Caroline's influence, allowed him to resume his clerical duties and historical writings. Carte's magnum opus, "A General History of England," sought to improve upon Paul de Rapin's work and was published in volumes from 1747 to 1755, posthumously. His detailed account of the Duke of Ormond's life, published in three volumes, remains a significant contribution to the historical record of the period. Carte's dedication to historical accuracy and his unique perspective as a non-juror clergyman provide a valuable lens through which to view the complexities of 18th-century England. His final years were spent as the rector of Yattendon, Berkshire, where he continued his historical research until his death in 1754 at Caldecott near Abingdon.

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Burial: 11 Apr 1754