Thomas Urquhart

Sir Thomas Urquhart (1611–1660) was a Scottish aristocrat, writer, and translator. He is best known for his translation of the works of French Renaissance writer François Rabelais to English.

Urquhart was a member of Clan Urquhart. Through his mother, he was a grandson of Alexander Elphinstone, 4th Lord Elphinstone. He took part in the Royalist uprising of the Trot of Turriff, and he was knighted by Charles I of England for his loyal support to the Royalist cause. In 1642, Urquhart inherited a large estate from his father. He also inherited the estate's larger debts, and he started being harassed by his father's creditors. In 1648, Urquhart participated in the Royalist uprising of Inverness. In 1650, he fought in support of Charles II of England in the Battle of Worcester and he was taken prisoner by his Parliamentarian opponents. He was initially imprisoned in the Tower of London, but he was then transferred to Windsor Castle. While in captivity, he was given considerable freedom and he was allowed to resume his writing career. In 1652, he was paroled by Oliver Cromwell.

In 1653, Urquhart left Scotland to travel in Continental Europe and little is known about his later life. He had died by 1660, the year in which his hereditary titles were inherited by his younger brother. According to a legend, Urquhart died in a fit of laughter on receiving news of the Stuart Restoration in 1660. Provided by Wikipedia